PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic are starting to believe that miracles might happen and they may yet pull off the great escape from Sky Bet League One.
The win at Peterborough United extended the unbeaten run to five games and, with 11 points from those games, suddenly safety is nowhere as distance as it appeared at the start of the month.
It was the first time Latics recorded back-to-back wins in the campaign and the success at London Road was the fourth away league victory.
Cameron Dummigan gave Latics a dream start, scoring in the opening two minutes. Posh equalised shortly before half time after an error from keeper Joel Coleman before Liam Kelly secured the points with a second-half penalty.
Manager John Sheridan made one change to his starting line up from Saturday’s home win against high-flying Gillingham as Carl Winchester replaced Saturday’s goalscorer Jonathan Forte.
Forte, who only recently returned from a broken leg, was given a break and a place on the bench where Latics could only name six players due to Joseph Mills’ partner going into labour prior to kick off.
Latics made a dream start, taking the lead after one minute and 45 second through Burnley loanee Dummigan.
The full back, playing at right midfield, capitalised on a defensive mistake from Kgosi Ntlhe and swept the ball past Ben Alnwick to give them a dream start. The goal was also Dummigan’s first in competitive football.
Peterborough started to come back into the game as Coulibaly tested the palms of Coleman after nine minutes.
Posh should have got back on level terms as Ntlhe’s shot was spilled by Coleman into the path of Lee Angol, but the striker fired over from close range.
Midway through the first half, Latics could have doubled their lead on two occasions when Curtis Main and Aaron Amadi-Holloway had efforts saved by Ben Alnwick.
Doncaster loanee Main fired wide from a cross by Daniel Lafferty as Latics remained a threat.
Latics never looked in any danger until Posh equalised six minutes before the break. Marcus Maddison’s cross caused Coleman problems as he could only parry onto the crossbar and it was a simple header for Coulibaly.
It was a nervy end to the half for Latics as Erhun Oztumer shot wide from the edge of the box as they needed to regroup at the break.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway had a chance for Latics early in the second half, but could not direct his header from Carl Winchester’s free kick on target.
Forte was introduced just after the hour mark for the impressive Main as Latics pushed for the winning goal.
Kelly found Dummigan who skipped past one opponent, but his shot was turned behind for a corner by Alnwick. Winchester then saw a shot fizz just wide of the upright.
Latics made the breakthrough with 18 minutes left when keeper Alnwick fouled Palmer after he fumbled a long-range strike from Winchester. Kelly obliged from the spot.
Holloway almost put the game beyond Posh’s reach when he headed against the upright from a corner.
However, as he did that, he picked up an injury and had to be replaced by striker Jake Cassidy.
Posh had one opportunity in the final five minutes to equalise after a superb turn from substitute Shaquile Coulthirst gave him a sight of goal, but he shot wide.
And Latics almost had the final word in the five minutes of added time when Cassidy, still seeking his first goal since his summer move, fired over from the edge of the box.