Max Power’s rocket free-kick finds the top corner

Latics produced a superb second half performance to defeat AFC Wimbledon 4-0 at Kingsmeadow and consolidate their place at the top of the League One table.

After an even first half with chances at both ends, Latics took control and went ahead on 57 minutes when Michael Jacobs’ close range shot was deflected past keeper George Long.

The Dons were then dealt a big blow when Harry Forrester was dismissed for a second yellow card after a bad foul on Sam Morsy.

The moment of indiscipline proved costly as a few minutes later Latics’ top scorer Nick Powell lashed the ball home from the edge of the box to increase their lead.

Morsy then set up substitute Max Power to blast a rocket free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner of the Wimbledon net.

Substitute Ivan Toney completed the scoring with a fine individual goal to seal a totally dominant second half display.

Latics made one change from the victory against Fleetwood Town with Gavin Massey replacing the unwell Ryan Colclough.

The visitors took their time to get going in a first half were the Dons worked hard to cause an upset.

The home team produced plenty of long balls towards the visitors area but these were  generally well dealt with by centre backs Dan Burn and Chey Dunkley.

But despite the Dons best efforts it was Latics who still had the better chances in the opening half.

In the first two minutes Gavin Massey went close when he was set up by Powell but he shot narrowly wide of Long’s right-hand post.

They went close again on 20 minutes when Massey’s cross found Jacobs, whose header  was somehow saved by the keeper’s legs.

The rebound fell to Lee Evans on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s effort went inches wide of an unguarded net.

Evans then forced Long into a good save from range before Morsy saw his close-range effort from a Jacobs pass deflected for a corner.

Despite the teams going in level at half time there was a feeling that Latics would have enough quality on the pitch to win through in the end.

At the beginning of the second half they appeared to shift up a gear and went ahead on 57 minutes through Jacobs.

Powell fed Massey down the left-hand side and the winger cut the ball back for Jacobs to score his seventh goal of the season from close range.

On 69 minutes Forrester’s indiscipline proved costly for the Dons when he was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Latics were now in total control as the Dons resistance crumbled.

On 73 minutes Powell was given too much space on edge of the box and the talented midfielder scored his ninth goal of the season with a superb left-foot strike past Long.

With 80 minutes on the clock they further increased their lead when Max Power’s rocket free-kick from 25-yards found the top corner of the Dons net.

Substitute Toney then produced a fine piece of individual skill by taking the ball from the halfway line and then finishing with some aplomb to make it 4-0.

An emphatic result which accurately reflected Latics’ second half dominance, maintains their four point gap at the top of the table and increases their positive goal difference to 30.