Callum Lang gave Latics the lead

• Latics produced an impressive attacking display against unbeaten Wycombe Wanderers at the DW Stadium.
• The hosts went ahead on 47 minutes through Callum Lang’s strike.
• It looked as though Latics would secure the three points but the Chairboys struck a 90th minute equaliser through Anthony Stewart and the points were shared.
• Latics are in 14th place and Wycombe are in third after three games.
• New signing James McClean was presented to the fans prior to kick off.

Leam Richardson made two changes to his starting line up from the victory against Rotherham with Jordan Cousins and Jordan Jones replacing Stephen Humphrys and Luke Robinson.

Latics started confidently with Callum Lang setting up Will Keane but the striker fired his effort over the crossbar.

Latics continued to press forward and should’ve been ahead on five minutes when Lang’s shot was deflected into the path of captain Tendayi Darikwa, but his effort from the edge of the six-yard box went narrowly wide of the post.

Wycombe’s first opportunity came in the 15th minute when the ball fell to Garath McCleary in the box, but the forward fired straight at Ben Amos. 

The visitors started to cause more problems with Anis Mehmeti being denied by an excellent block from Tom Naylor.

Mehmeti had then their best chance to open the scoring when after a neat one-two he volleyed straight at Amos from the corner of the six-yard box.

At the other end Charlie Wyke had an opportunity to open the scoring for Latics in the 34th minute after Jones whipped in an inviting cross but Wyke could only guide his header over. 

Latics had another big chance to break the deadlock just moments later after a poor back-pass allowed Jones to try his luck but his shot was easily saved by David Stockdale. Jones would surely have done better to square the ball with Wyke unmarked in a central position.

The hosts were unlucky in the 41st minute when Keane had the ball in the back of the net but he was adjudged as offside after he headed Jones’ cross into the net.

But Latics did go ahead early in the second half after Lang found space in the penalty area following Jones’ free kick, and fired his shot superbly into the top right corner.

Jones almost doubled the lead in the 54th minute when his left-footed strike from 25-yards forced a full-length save from Stockdale.

Latics nearly sealed the points in the 69th minute when Keane headed against the crossbar from Whatmough’s flick on from Max Power’s free-kick.

But despite creating numerous chances Latics succumbed to late pressure and Wycombe equalised in the 90th minute. 

From Sully Kaikai’s corner Anthony Stewart rose above Kel Watts at the back post and headed home to maintain Wycombe’s unbeaten start to the season.

It was a frustrating end for Latics, who had been impressive for most of the game. 

Afterwards Leam Richardson emphasised that it is important that his side keep making small steps forward during the infancy stages of their bonding.

“I think now we’re into our third league game and fourth [competitive game] with Hull City, with all the fundamentals that we’re trying to work on around the pitch, you’ve got to be careful as these lads have only been together competitively for four games, but there are some really good positives in there.

“There are some real good lads with the work ethic. I think the question that you’ve always got to ask yourself is could the group have given anymore for the shirt, themselves and each other, and I don’t think they could tonight.”

Latics’ new team have performed well in the difficult opening games against teams who are expected to be challenging at the top end of the table. 

It is still early days but Richardson is building a strong squad, with the signing of James McClean and with four or five more additions, they are capable of mounting a promotion campaign.

Latics face another tough game against Nigel Adkins’ Charlton on Saturday but the spirit in the camp is good and the competition for starting places is heating up.

Player ratings courtesy of WhoScored.com