Manager Darren Kelly could not fault the effort of his players after bowing out of the Capital One Cup at the first round stage.
Championship side Middlesbrough ran out 1-3 winners on the night courtesy of goals from Yanic Wildschut and a double from Christian Stuani.
Danny Philliskirk did pull a goal back for Latics in the dying embers of the game but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
It is the second successive season Latics have fallen to Boro in the Capital One Cup but manager Kelly praised his sides work ethic against their higher league opposition.
He said: "The one thing I can ask of the players is that they work hard and they worked tirelessly tonight. All credit to Middlesbrough, they are an excellent side and no doubt they will do well this season but we finished well and that was pleasing.
"In the last few minutes we could have had a couple of goals and you stand there and think if we can get one, can we get another, and then another. David Dunn came on and he forced the goalkeeper into a couple of good saves and their defenders made a couple of good blocks from our attackers and we just needed that little bit of luck but it wasn’t to be.
"Overall we created good chances but at the end of the day we needed goals and we struggled to find them. We made their goalkeeper make a few good saves so it’s good to finish with a positive.”
One particular man who did work tireless throughout the game was striker Jake Cassidy and the gaffer praised him. “He likes the battles, big, small, whatever that may be, he likes the challenge,” admitted Kelly.
"He showed that again and he has got a bit of everything. He will run into the ground for you and that is all you can ask of him.”
It is now a quick turnaround for his players as Fleetwood Town visit SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday.
“It’s a big game coming up and it’s important we prepare for that, rest well, eat well and look forward to the challenge of Fleetwood here,” Kelly said.
"We have a full squad and I want to pick a team that is good on the day. Fleetwood are another good side so we have to be up and ready for that.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.