Cup win for youngsters
Latics' under-18's came good in the end as they defeated Hartlepool United 6-2 in the Football League Youth Alliance Cup.Academy Manager Tony Philliskirk explained his side ought to have won by an even wider margin.
Yet after an hour the match was finely poised at 2-2, even though Latics' youngsters dominated the cup tie from start to finish.
Until that point they had been let down by wasteful finishing and disappointing defending.
Latics fell behind after quarter of an hour following a defensive mix up.
Jordache Walters, Jack Tuohy and Kyle Hardman were all denied by superb saves by Pools' keeper before Latics equalised after 30 minutes.
Centre-back Tomos Clarke scored with a neat shot on the turn from a corner.
Latics took the lead early in the second half through a far-post volley from Jordan Bove following a corner.
Disaster struck again on the hour when Clarke, attempting a clearance, slid the ball into his own net.
Walters was denied by another fine save before Hardman fired Latics into a 3-2 lead with a shot which followed a scramble.
That was quickly followed by a fourth goal, a sweetly-struck volley from Tuohy.
Walters was finally rewarded with a goal, the best of the game, a spectacular overhead kick from 12 yards.
Substitute Emile Tansinda added a sixth goal late on, a toe poke following a flick from Bove as Latics finished on the crest of a wave.