RICHIE Wellens cut a frustrated figure following the 1-1 draw with Walsall on Wednesday night which moved Latics three points clear of the League One trapdoor – simply because a win would have put even more daylight between themselves and the basement.

A point – which all-but relegates bottom-of-the-pile Bury – is another step towards safety but it could have been so much more.

The manager said: “It was a game we should have won – they were camped in their own half, we just needed that bit of magic.

“Maybe I could have gambled by putting Craig Davies on a bit earlier but when you’re creating chances it’s difficult to make that decision.”

Athletic dominated the Saddlers for long periods with attacking full-back Wilfried Moimbe proving a constant menace down the left – and Wellens felt he should have seen even more of the ball.

“We kept having six or seven touches in midfield which slows the game down,” added Wellens.

“The likes of Dan Gardner in midfield should have just switched it out to Wilfried – who I thought was the best player on the pitch by a mile – and let him cross it in.

“Walsall would have then said ‘hang on a minute, he keeps crossing’ and sent another player out to mark him which then creates gaps to play into.

“It’s so frustrating when you’re having to tell the players what to do.

“When Gardner plays two touches, he’s a very good player – he does the difficult things really well – but when asked to do simple things, he finds them difficult.”

The Latics gaffer admits the race for survival will be a close-run thing with sides in and around them still to play.

“It’s probably going to go to the wire because we lost our first seven games of the season,” he said.

“Every single game I’ve ever managed has always been a relegation battle because of our bad start. I’ve never been in a position where I can experiment.”

Wellens sprung a surprise in playing skipper Anthony Gerrard who has missed the last four matches with a calf problem.

He said: “In the first half Gerrard was too deep because the gap between defence and midfield was too big and allowed their striker to keep coming in and picking up the ball.

“Maybe he was protecting his injury a bit by dropping to give himself two or three yards extra – but his experience shows.”

Despite obvious disappointment at not taking maximum points, there were plenty of positives to be had as Latics continue to edge away from danger ahead of the visit of Gillingham on Saturday.

“We created a lot of chances and their ’keeper pulled off a few ‘worldy’ saves – fair play to him,” said Wellens.

“It’s frustrating, but we are a point nearer to where we want to be.”