Franchise missed a good chance early on but Dean Brill (pictured), coming on in leaps and bounds every game, was equal to the task. The first booking occurred as early as the 6th. minute after Doumbe tried to hack down Chris Taylor. Shortly after Alan Sheehan, who again put in a man-of-the-match performance, scored the opening goal with a devastating 30 yard effort. Taylor brought another booking in the 25th. minute when Leven mistook him for a blade of grass and tried to scyth him down.
Alex Marrow almost put the Latics two up but the visiting keeper made a great save after backtracking to the line. Brill made another important save on the stroke of half time to keep the home side ahead at the half. Franchise manager Paul Ince was given a red card and was sent to the stands for the whole of the second half for verbally abusing the referee.
Athletic were two up in the 70th. minute after some good work by Sean Gregan released Danny Whittaker who centred for Keigan Parker who finished in some style. An unfortunate bit of luck gave the visitors a life-line after a shot struck the crossbar and rebounded onto the head of Brill and bounced cruelly into the net. However, the Latics weathered the storm and secured a very useful 2-1 success against a side, undefeated away, who were determined to stop them scoring at all costs. Franchise had four players booked and they also used four subs which is against the rules but it is unknown if they will yet be punished for the misdemeanour. The three wins have catapulted Athletic from the bottom four to seventh in the league, just goal difference away from a play-off spot.