Five things we learned from Charlton (a)

1 Valley of Doom... It's fair to say Latics don't particularly enjoy their journeys to the home of Charlton Athletic. Just three months after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser that ended up costing them their Championship status, Latics again came away feeling aggrieved after not picking up the result their performance deserved. In fact, trips to London on the whole have been unproductive since THAT day in May 2013. At least the fans didn't have a long return trip north to endure this time.

2 Free-kick to the stomach... Yes, Jamie Jones - Latics' star man in the last two matches - won't want to see Charlton's winning goal again, after appearing to misjudge the flight of the ball. But manager John Sheridan pointed to a more general cause for disappointment in assessing the goal - the giving away of yet another soft free-kick in dangerous areas. Latics had even dodged a bullet in the first half, when Jake Forster-Caskey sent a 30-yard effort against the bar. The visitors didn't get so lucky in the second period, this time the ball going in off the post, and Sheridan felt it was very avoidable. The boss has made this point more than once this season - and he needs his players to take heed.

3 Evans above... John Sheridan bigged up Lee Evans in the build-up to the game, saying the Wales international was the best midfielder in the division on his day. Going head-to-head in the engine room with none other than Ben Watson, Evans appeared to take the words of his manager onto the field with him, producing his best display of the season by far. He was unfortunate to hit the bar in the final quarter - and should have been awarded a penalty after being clattered in the act of shooting - and a goal would have been the icing on the cake. If he can hold his form, Latics have the conductor their new-look orchestra desperately needs.

4 Mass-ive boost... Gavin Massey will be the first to admit things haven't gone well for him over the last year or so. Injuries appear to have affected his confidence, and he's looked a shadow of the player who impressed at this level three years ago. His performance at the Valley was his best for quite some time - even more impressive given it was in the unfamiliar role of right-back. John Sheridan felt Massey was his team's stand-out performer, and he's another senior player who will give the team an added dimension - if he can stay fit.

5 Tilt to last... Curtis Tilt made his debut for Latics, less than 24 hours after joining from Rotherham on loan until January. And the big centre-back made an immediate impression, giving the backline as solid a look as it's had all season. Considering centre-back partner Darnell Johnson was making only his third league appearance, and Latics had a right-back (Tom James) at left-back and a winger (Massey) at right-back, Tilt's experience and know-how shone through. Latics needed to replace Danny Fox as a player and as a leader - and it looks like they've done just that.

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