Wigan Athletic 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Not for the first time this season, Latics dominated in terms of possession and territory, but once again lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Omar Bogle was once more the man most likely, but a fourth-minute effort which glanced off the bar was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

Not even the second-half introductions of Gabriel Obertan, Alex Gilbey - for his first appearance in almost six months - and Will Grigg could rouse Latics into life.

And indeed Warren Joyce’s decision to withdraw Bogle to make way for Grigg with six minutes to go brought widespread boos from the stands - which was repeated on the final whistle.

Latics could even have lost it in the closing stages, if goalkeeper Matt Gilks hadn’t got down quickly at his near post to deny Mustapha Carayol.

The result leaves Joyce’s men two points adrift of fourth-bottom Bristol City, who have a game in hand, and four behind fifth-bottom Wolves, who have played two games fewer.

And they only have themselves to blame for not working Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith anywhere near enough when they were on top.

After Shaun MacDonald had been off the mark with an early sighter, Bogle came much closer with a left-foot strike that appeared to glance the bar on its way out of play.

With the game still to reach the 10-minute mark, the ex-Grimsby man then dragged a shot just wide of the upright, but sadly that was as close as Latics came to troubling the scorers.

There was half a shout for a penalty when Bogle was clipped by David Vaughan just inside the area, although referee Geoff Eltringham was unimpressed.

At the other end, Carayol fired straight at Gilks from a good position, before the visiting fans were screaming for a red card when Britt Assombalonga got goalside of Jake Buxton, who hauled the attacker to the deck.

Fortunately for Latics, the official chose to brandish only yellow before blowing up for half-time.

Latics were almost in within seconds of the restart, only for Bogle to swing and miss from bang in front before Dan Burn stubbed the ball straight at Smith with the goal at his mercy.

Bogle worked himself another opportunity before firing well wide before Joyce made his first changes, sending on Obertan and Gilbey for Mikael Mandron and Max Power.

Before the new boys could get into the game, Forest almost nosed in front on the hour mark when Eric Lichaj unleashed a swerving striker that only missed the far post by a matter of inches.

Forest then enjoyed their best spell, with a blistering shot from Assombalonga almost taking Warnock’s head off before Gilks showed good reflexes to deny Carayol at his near post.

After a Latics corner came to nothing, the visitors countered and Carayol looked dangerous until he was halted by a superb block from the covering Warnock.

That was the signal for Latics to go all-in, with Grigg taking over from Bogle for the last six minutes, although the Latics fans would have preferred to see the two on the pitch at the same time

And Forest almost added to the unsavoury atmosphere inside the stadium when, in the very last minute, Joe Worrall headed just wide from an inswinging free-kick, with Gilks again left exposed.