The young Foxes opened their EFL Trophy campaign against the Sky Bet League 1 side at DW Stadium and held their own during the first 45 minutes against senior opposition, despite coming into the game off the back of four straight defeats.
The visitors took the lead when midfielder Arjan Raikhy netted half an hour in, sending a rocket into the top corner from outside the box after captain Wanya Marçal had carried the ball forward.
Experienced forward Josh Magennis levelled the scores via the penalty spot just four minutes later, setting the tone for what was to come from the north west outfit.
Level at the break, Northern Ireland international Magennis doubled his tally less than 60 seconds after the interval, putting the Latics ahead for the first time in the contest.
From there, it was one way traffic. Callum Lang made it 3-1 on 57 minutes and an unfortunate Brad Young own goal increased the advantage on the hour mark, saving Magennis' header before it rebounded off the post and into the net.
Harry McHugh then added another for the home side, before Chris Sze netted late on. Josh Stones rounded off the scoring in stoppage-time, to compound the Foxes' misery.
City still have two games to play as part of the competition's group stage and will come up against Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers in Northern Group D.
Next up in Premier League 2, meanwhile, is a home fixture against Middlesbrough at LCFC Training Ground on Monday (7pm BST kick-off).
The details
City: Young, Appiah, Godsmark-Ford (Amartey 62'), Wilson-Brown; Aluko, Raikhy, Cover (Cartwright 77'), Hill (Ali 67'); Marçal (c) , S. Thomas (Pennant 78'), Richards (Maswanhise 67').
Unused subs: Doherty, R. Evans.
Goal: Raikhy 30'.