OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, SOUTHEND UNITED 5
Oldham Athletic’s sixth home league defeat of the season against Southend United was as bad as it comes.
It was a loss that sees Latics slide back into the relegation places and followed defending that can only be described as shambolic.
The Shrimpers established a three-goal lead early in the second half, mounted a spirited fightback to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and then capitulated again at the close.
Manager David Dunn made four changes from the side beaten at home by Barnsley on Saturday, but they failed to have the desired effect.
Right-back Cameron Dummigan’s absence was enforced through injury while keeper Joel Coleman, midfielders Giorgio Rasulo and Timothee Dieng were tactical.
Into the side came goalkeeper David Cornell, Richard Eckersley at right back along with midfielder Jay Fulton and striker Michael Higdon.
Latics fell behind after only five minutes when Ben Coker’s free kick was not cleared and Jack Payne curled in a shot.
Latics rallied as Higdon hit a post and James Wilson fired wide and there was no indication as to the horrors that lay ahead.
Southend remained a threat as David Mooney somehow contrived to fire over from three yards before they doubled their advantage just before the break in controversial circumstances.
Mooney found the net despite looking to be offside and also Cornell in trying to thwart him.
And it got worse soon after the restart when former Latics’ loanee David Worrall found the net when he headed home a deflected shot.
Dunn’s response was to bring on Ricardo Fuller to provide more firepower and within eight minutes Latics were handed a lifeline when Higdon smashed home a half volley.
Suddenly Latics were in the ascendancy as Fuller fired just wide and Higdon’s header from Mark Yeates’ corner was well tipped over the keeper Daniel Bentley.
Higdon also shot wide before Latics were handed a penalty after 75 minutes after Joseph Mills was fouled in the box.
Higdon stepped forward only for Bentley to make a smart save low to his left, but it was only a temporary reprieve for the visitors as Liam Kelly immediately fired over a cross for Higdon to head home at the far post.
If Latics thought the great escape was on, they were mistaken as Southend regained their two goal advantage only a minute later as Will Atkinson headed home at the back post.
Four minutes later, the Shrimpers made it five with a very similar goal, headed home by substitute Luke Prosser who had been on the field three minutes.
Latics continued to press until the final minutes of the game with Higdon and Rasulo going close, but it was to no avail on a dismal night in front of a crowd of just 3,301 as fans are voting with their feet and staying away.