FLEETWOOD TOWN 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic reignited their push for a promotion play-off place with victory at Fleetwood Town in Sky Bet League One.
Second-half goals from Carl Winchester and Mike Jones earned Lee Johnson’s side their first league win since the end of November.
And despite their recent wobble – no win in five league and cup games – they are still only two points adrift of sixth spot, even though they are in 12th place.
Latics, who had lost loan striker Jabo Ibehre, who had returned to Colchester, and the injured Jonathan Forte, had a new strike pairing of Dominic Poleon and Amari Morgan-Smith.
But it was midfield pair Winchester and Jones who came up trumps with the all-important goals against the Cod Army.
In the first half, Latics enjoyed plenty of possession, but it was Fleetwood who had the clearer chances. Antoni Sarcevic fired wide after only three minutes with just keeper Paul Rachubka to beat after being put clean through by Jamie Proctor.
Winchester twice and Poleon had openings, but failed to trouble home keeper Chris Maxwell. Fleetwood had their best spell just before the break when Latics’ defender George Elokobi cleared off the line from Josh Morris while Rachubka saved well from Gareth Evans.
Latics made a great start to the second half when Maxwell made a good save to keep out a free kick from Jones.
The breakthrough came five minutes into the second period when Winchester cut inside and fired into them top corner.
Latics had the bit firmly between their teeth as Poleon fired just wide before they doubled their advantage midway through the half when Poleon won a free kick 25 yards out. Jones made no mistake this time curling an effort into the top corner to put Latics into an unassailable position.
Fleetwood kept on battling and Rachubka had to be alert to turn a free kick from Evans over the crossbar and later to turn an effort from Nick Haughton around the post for a corner.