OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, SCUNTHORPE UNITED 4
It was not the loss, but the manner of the defeat at home to Scunthorpe United that disappointed David Dunn in his first match as Oldham Athletic’s permanent manager.
Latics were 2-1 ahead with less than half an hour played before caving in against an Iron side that had not won on its travels since January.
And after drawing his four matches as interim manager, it was hardly the start Dunn wanted as Latics slipped back into the bottom four in Sky Bet League One.
Dunn, who added there were no positives to take from the performance, was forced to make changes with Cameron Dummigan and Jay Fulton away on international duty as Connor Brown and Lee Croft won recalls.
Dunn, significantly, named himself on the bench for the first time since he became manager.
Latics started the game brightly, but it was Iron that took the lead after 10 minutes through Gary McSheffrey after Paddy Madden seized on an error from Brown before providing the assist.
And it would have got even worse had keeper David Cornell not pulled off a super save to deny Tom Hopper.
Latics drew level midway through the opening period when Dominic Poloen’s set up Danny Philliskirk whose shot was deflected to Liam Kelly who slotted home from six yards.
And two minute later, Latics completed a turnabout when Poleon fired Latics 2-1 ahead from close range following a Daniel Lafferty free kick.
Cornell had a turn away a long-range effort from McSheffrey, but it was only a temporary reprieve as the Iron made it 2-2 after 35 minutes when Tommy Rowe’s shot took a deflection off Lafferty and squeezed past Latics’ keeper.
Poleon had a chance to regain the lead for Latics before the break, but saw his goal attempt deflected wide for a corner.
Latics started the second half positively as Mike Jones had a shot saved by Iron keeper Luke Daniels.
However, it was the visitors who regained the lead after 69 minutes through the predatory Paddy Madden. Tom Hopper’s initial shot was well saved by Cornell, but the rebound fell invitingly for the striker.
Latics needed a fresh impetus and Dunn introduced himself as Danny Philliskirk made way for the manager.
But it was Iron who sealed victory with six minutes left when substitute striker Kevin van Veen scored with a fabulous solo effort.
Van Veen breezed past two opponents, nutmegged another and then coolly chipped the ball over keeper Cornell.
There was no way back for Latics as Dunn suffered his first defeat as manager.