Latics one step closer to Wembley
Latics moved one step closer to Wembley after defeating Notts County by an emphatic 5-1 scoreline in the Northern Area Quarter Final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Danny Philliskirk (pictured) scored twice while James Tarkowski, James Dayton and Jonson Clarke-Harris netted one apiece on a successful night for Lee Johnson's men.
Danny Philliskirk (pictured) scored twice while James Tarkowski, James Dayton and Jonson Clarke-Harris netted one apiece on a successful night for Lee Johnson's men.
Notts County, 2-1 down at the break, made two changes from the restart as they looked for a way back into the game.
Philliskirk dragged a shot wide from 35 yards as Latics looked to open a two-goal cushion.
County remained a threat and a 30-yard drive from Joss Labadie brought a fine diving save from Paul Rachubka.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when central-defender Dean Leacock was shown a straight red card following an incident only spotted by the referee's assistant.
Latics then had a penalty appeal turned down when Jonson Clarke-Harris went down in the box.
Cristian Montano then had two decent goal attempts as the first was saved by keeper Fabian Spiess while the second was deflected for a corner.
Latics finally made it 3-1 mid-half when Philliskirk's excellent pass released Dayton who, free on the right of the box, slotted home a low shot.
Connor Brown replaced Genseric Kusunga with 19 minutes left as Latics made their first substitution.
And Sidney Schmeltz soon made his entrance replacing Montano.
Philliskirk dragged a shot wide from 35 yards as Latics looked to open a two-goal cushion.
County remained a threat and a 30-yard drive from Joss Labadie brought a fine diving save from Paul Rachubka.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when central-defender Dean Leacock was shown a straight red card following an incident only spotted by the referee's assistant.
Latics then had a penalty appeal turned down when Jonson Clarke-Harris went down in the box.
Cristian Montano then had two decent goal attempts as the first was saved by keeper Fabian Spiess while the second was deflected for a corner.
Latics finally made it 3-1 mid-half when Philliskirk's excellent pass released Dayton who, free on the right of the box, slotted home a low shot.
Connor Brown replaced Genseric Kusunga with 19 minutes left as Latics made their first substitution.
And Sidney Schmeltz soon made his entrance replacing Montano.
Brown almost marked his comeback after a two-and-a-half-month injury lay off with a goal as he fired narrowly wide.
Latics added a fourth goal in the 84th minute when Dayton unselfishly squared a pass to Philliskirk who smashed a shot from 12 yards into the roof of the net.
There was late drama as scholar Jordan Bove, on his 18th birthday, was sent off three minutes into his first-team debut following a late challenge of Kieron Freeman having replaced Anton Rodgers.
Latics added a fifth goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Philliskirk was denied a first senior hat trick by a super save from Fabrian Spiess, but Clarke-Harris swept home the rebound.
Full-time: Latics 5, Notts County 1.