A trip to Wembley came a step closer after an impressive 3-1 victory over a poor Crewe Alexandra side at Boundary Park. The win puts the Latics into the northern semi-final which is just three matches away from the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The knock-out goals came from Shefki Kuqi who grabbed two and Luca Scapuzzi who notched his first goal for the Latics after his loan move. Paul Dickov was once again happy with the team's display with the exception of the defending for Crewe's goal.
Dickov said, "Some of the football we played in the second half was fantastic and well worthy of the victory and we were unlucky not to score more goals. We look to become more clinical, but at times our play was really good and we created very good chances. Apart from the Crewe goal, Paul Gerrard had nothing to do in the second half. We played some really good football but after going 1-0 ahead I think we showed Crewe disrespect thinking it would be easier than it was. We had a go at the players at half time and Crewe came back into the game through our lack of discipline."