OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, WALSALL 0
It was a case of onwards and upwards for Oldham Athletic after their win against promotion-chasing Walsall lifted them out of the relegation places in Sky Bet League One for the first time since November.
Loanee Curtis Main was Latics’ matchwinner against the Saddlers as their excellent run continued under John Sheridan as they finally clambered out of the bottom four.
Sheridan described it as their biggest win to date since he took charge in mid-January as Walsall are challenging for automatic promotion.
The momentum built up has seen Latics win their last three games, keep four consecutive clean sheets and only two losses in the last 14 league games.
While the likes of Doncaster and Blackpool have slide into the bottom four after wretched runs, Latics have put together a run more reminiscent of a promotion-chasing side as opposed to one battling relegation.
Sheridan named the same side that beat Swindon Town four days earlier with Main and Jonathan Forte again leading the attacking line.
After a quiet opening, Latics’ keeper Joel Coleman had to be alert after 16 minutes to deny Jordy Hiwula as he burst through on goal as the 20-year-old stood tall to block his effort.
Seconds later, he again had to race out, this time to deny striker Tom Bradshaw who was through on goal while Anthony Forde went close with a long-rang effort.
Latics almost took the lead mid-half when left-back Tareiq Holmes-Dennis cut the ball back to Main who volleyed inches wide of the upright.
Romaine Sawyers was a constant threat in the midfield for Walsall and he was tripped on the edge of the box before the half hour and Andrew Taylor’s free kick dipped inches over Coleman’s crossbar.
The goalkeeper was being put under a lot of pressure in the first half, and he denied Sam Mantom with a superb one-handed save to keep the scores level.
Just before the break, Latics went close to taking the lead when Matt Palmer’s free kick was saved well by former Latics’ keeper Neil Etheridge before Jonathan Forte also went close when he took the ball around Etheride, but shot in to the side netting after being forced wide.
Chances were limited in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as James Wilson headed narrowly wide while for Walsall Jason Demetriou tried his luck but fired over the bar.
Just after the hour mark, Latics took the lead through Main. It was persistent work from Forte which forced the goal as he chased down a loose ball, brushed past Matthew Pennington and pulled the ball back for the Doncaster Rovers loanee who fired low into the far corner from inside the penalty area.
Latics did not settle on that lead and went in search of another with Forte and Jones both shooting inches wide from distance.
Walsall piled on the pressure but they were met by a resolute defence with Coleman unbeatable on his way to another clean sheet.
With only 10 minutes remaining, the Saddlers had their best chance of the game through Hiwula. The striker found acres of space on the edge of the box but blazed over the crossbar when he ought to have hit the target.
Sheridan made a change in the final five minutes as Jake Cassidy replaced Forte. The striker was lively but it was all hands on deck for Latics as Walsall dominated the latter stages.
As four minutes of additional time was announced by the fourth official, Wilson flung himself in front of a shot from Jordan Cook, a massively important block as Latics picked up three massive points in their battle against relegation.