It was a backs-to-the wall performance for the Latics at Southampton. The defence produced a brilliant display to keep out the Saints sharpshooters and it was a testament that goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan had very little to do behind battling centre-backs Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell.
As expected, Dave Penney set out his stall to come away with a point and he played a defensive 4-5-1 system with Deane Smalley playing on the right with Lewis Guy on the opposite flank. It worked a treat and the result almost guarantees that the Latics will remain playing in League One next season.