RICHIE Wellens felt his side dominated the game against Fleetwood on Boxing Day but lacked the killer instinct in front of goal without virus-stricken top scorer Eoin Doyle.

The Latics boss admitted that, potentially at least, Doyle may have played his last game in Athletic colours as the Preston poacher is again likely to be sidelined for the visit of Bristol Rovers on Saturday. He is due back at Deepdale on January 1.

Wellens said: “When you’re missing someone like Eoin Doyle who has scored so many goals, it’s always going to be detrimental to your team.

“First and foremost, we want Eoin getting healthy and feeling right.

“He’s got a bad virus and he’s not going to be ready in time for the Bristol Rovers game on Saturday.

"Potentially, maybe, he could have played his last game for Oldham as his loan deal runs out on January 1.”

Wellens thought if Latics had scored first, they would have won the match at a canter.

He added: “We’ve been really good at home so this was a massive setback but again the performance was there and we still fought to the end to try and get back in the game.

“If we would have scored first I think we would have gone on to win comfortably.

“In the first half, there was only one team in it – I can’t remember them having many attacks.

“We played well and moved the ball about really well. We could have created a few more chances but we had the best chance of the game when Davies should have scored with his header – unfortunately he didn’t make enough contact with it.

“In the second half we conceded the first goal at a bad time. But even then, I wasn’t too worried because I knew we were dominating the game. But obviously, when you concede another so quickly afterwards, it’s difficult after that."