The view from the Leppings Lane Stand

Latics got off to a great start at Sheffield Wednesday when they went ahead within the first five minutes through Will Grigg.

But instead of building on the lead Latics were forced back and had to defend against consistent pressure. Wednesday showed plenty of quality throughout and demonstrated why they are likely to be amongst the promotion contenders at the end of the season.

Wednesday’s new signing Steven Fletcher drew the home team level after 29 minutes and after a sustained period of pressure Fernando Forestieri secured the three points on 62 minutes.

Gary Caldwell made two changes from the the last line-up against Queens Park Rangers with new signing Reece Burke and Luke Burke replacing the injured Craig Morgan and Shaun MacDonald.

Latics had an early scare after only two minutes when Forestieri got in behind the defence but Luke Burke made an excellent last ditch interception to clear the danger.

Three minutes later Latics went ahead after good work by Michael Jacobs and a clinical finish by the prolific Will Grigg.

Jacobs picked the ball up on the left hand side and beat his man before cutting the ball back to Grigg in the area and the Irishman finished with ease from close range.

Will Grigg has now scored an incredible 25 goals in his last 27 appearances – what an amazing player to have at the club.

Latics tried to build on their advantage but they were quickly pushed back by Wednesday.

If Latics had got to half time with their lead in tact they might have gone on to get something from the game, but on 30 minutes Fletcher outmuscled Luke Buxton and guided the ball beyond Bogdan and into the far corner of the Latics net.

It was now an uphill struggle and when Nick Powell went down with a groin injury on 40 minutes, Latics were forced to change their line up with Shaun MacDonald coming on.

There was a period of intense action just before the interval as first Luke Burke almost regained Latics the lead, but Keiren Westwood tipped his rasping drive over the crossbar.

Then Forestieri went close for Wednesday, before at the other end Max Power turned Grigg’s cut back over the crossbar.

Caldwell reshuffled the line up at half time with Adam Le Fondre making his debut in place of Luke Burke. But Wednesday maintained the upper hand and Latics had to be content to defend deep.

Yanic Wildschut was introduced in place of Luke Garbutt on 59 minutes in an attempt to change the pattern of play, but Wednesday went ahead on 62 minutes after Forestieri finished at the second attempt through a crowd of Latics defenders.

Wednesday might have added to their lead when substitute Gary Hooper’s acrobatic overhead kick was well saved at close range by Adam Bogdan.

Latics tried to up their game in the final stages but ultimately they were outdone by a talented team who will surely be in the promotion shake up at the end of the season.