Frustration was etched onto manager Stephen Robinson’s face after seeing his side lose 1-0 to league leaders Scunthorpe United yesterday.
Athletic dominated the first half, creating chance after chance after chance, but a combination of inaccurate finishing or good saves by Iron goalkeeper, and man of the match, Luke Daniels left Latics scratching their heads at half time.
Following the interval, Scunthorpe United did come out and take control of the game but Connor Ripley and the defence were found in inspired form.
Paul Green was harshly dismissed for two bookable offences with 25 minutes of the game remaining and if a goal was to be scored, it was going to be a wonder strike.
That came in the final 10 minutes of the game as Scott Wiseman volleyed home from the edge of the box to crush Athletic’s hopes of doing the double over the league leaders this season.
Speaking after the game, a dejected Robinson said: “I think the game should have been out of sight by half time and if we were 4-0 up, I don’t think Graham Alexander would have had any complaints.
“We have missed from three or four yards, an open goal, two one-on-ones inside the penalty area and Freddie has a shot from close range as well so if you don’t take your chances, you don’t win the game.
“We are playing against the top of the league side who are playing superb football at the moment so we are obviously going to come under a little bit of pressure but we weathered that.
"We defended well but we then go down to 10 men which after that we have no chance. Whether it was or wasn’t a sending off, I don’t know.”
Whilst the gaffer was clearly frustrated by the result, he could not fault the effort and endeavour from his players.
“The boys are getting into them areas but missing the chances, what more can I say to them. I cannot come out and vilify them, ultimately I have to take the blame for it,” he commented.
"We go to Port Vale but if we go there and play the way we did for 60/70 minutes of today’s game then we will win more games than we lose, but not if you don’t score.
"We have two choices, we either feel sorry for ourselves or we keep going and dig in. We have a good group of boys, they gave absolutely everything.
“Nobody means to miss a chance, nobody doesn’t mean to not put it in from three or four yards, but we are all human beings and make mistakes sometimes unfortunately."
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.