Platform has been set, insists Wigan Athletic custodian

The Latics goalkeeper collected only a second shut-out of the campaign in the stalemate at the DW.

And although the result saw Latics slip back to last place on the ladder, Jones feels the side has taken an important step forward.

"It was massive to get the clean sheet, and we are looking to build on that now (at Lincoln) next Tuesday," he said.

“The young lads who have come in have to learn quickly, and with getting clean sheets like that it will give the lads at the back confidence to breed forwards.

“Hopefully we can now build on that next week and then try and score more goals now."

Although they managed to get another point on the board, Latics are now winless in the 12 matches.

But the way the side - decimated by injury and unavailability - dug in during the final quarter gave Jones cause for optimism.

“We saw the game out well," he said. "It's going to be difficult at times when you are under pressure.

"But the lads are learning quickly, and they have to deal with situations like that where we are up against it at the end.

“Every game in this league is tough - especially with the squad and players we have, after this club has been shattered through no fault of our own.

"The players we have got are capable of pushing up the league, and they need to believe in themselves more.

"As the games come thick and fast, they are learning and they showed that by getting that first clean sheet in a while - and we deserved it."