OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, ROCHDALE 3.
Oldham Athletic’s survival hopes were dealt a blow following a home derby defeat by Rochdale.
It was a disappointing afternoon as Latics were unable to make it back-to-back home wins in the space of four days following the midweek victory against Blackpool as they remain in the relegation places.
And Latics had the added advantage of playing against 10 men for more than half the match following Ian Henderson’s sending off for Rochdale shortly before the break.
The only brightspot was two goals from loan striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway, his first goals for the club.
Manager John Sheridan made one change from midweek with new loan signing Rareiq Holmes-Dennis replacing the injured Brian Wilson at left back.
Rochdale made the brighter start, but it was Latics who had the first clear-cut chance when Holloway forced a decent save from Josh Lillis after getting on to the end of a Mike Jones cross.
Soon after Liam Kelly sliced a shot wide as Latics looked to make a breakthrough.
Donal McDermott had Rochdale’s first opening, but fired over the bar.
Holloway forced Lillis to tip his header round the post for a corner after Curtis Main knocked on a cross from Jones.
The deadlock was ended just short of the half hour when Holloway broke his scoring duck for Latics as Jonathan Forte’s cross found Main who cut the ball back for Holloway to find the net with a low shot.
Ian Henderson was booked following a clash with Latics’ captain Liam Kelly.
Rochdale equalised after 36 minutes when Timothee Dieng fouled Callum Camps in the box and Henderson scored from the spot.
Latics’ response was a goal attempt from Holloway that forced another good save from Lillis.
It looked as though Latics would take control after Henderson picked up a second yellow card late in the half following a foul on Main.
But Latics made a nightmare start to the second half conceding two goals in quick succession as the visitors took charge.
They went 2-1 ahead after 49 minutes when McDermott’s corner was diverted past his own keeper by Anthony Gerrard.
Five minutes later and Dale added a third, a superb strike from Camps into the top corner following a burst forward from midfield.
Latics thought they had reduced the deficit on the hour, but Holloway’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Sheridan brought on Connor Brown and Timmy Thiele, changing to a 3-5-2 formation in a bid to change Latics’ fortunes.
That had a positive effect on proceedings as Latics managed to pull a goal back through a spectacular strike from Holloway, a volley from 25 yards into the top corner.
Suddenly Latics were had the momentum and Holmes-Dennis came close to making it 3-3 firing just wide from a Brown cross.
Gerrard had a couple of late chances for Latics, firing a free kick into the defensive wall and then shooting just over the bar from 35 yards, but they were unable to find an equaliser as the 1,242 visitors celebrated victory as Dale made it five wins from their last six games.