AFC FYLDE 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic lost to a side three divisions below them in the footballing pyramid following a 1-0 defeat at National League North side AFC Fylde.
After encouraging displays, despite losses against Championship clubs Huddersfield Town and Preston North End, this was not what the doctor ordered as a goal from former Blackpool defender Stephen Craigan earned the Fylde club victory.
And it probably reinforced to new manager Stephen Robinson the scale of the task in building a side capable of being successful in League One.
In a change from the first two friendlies, when manager Stephen Robinson operated a 3-5-2 system, this time he opted for 4-4-2.
Latics dominated the opening period possession wise with Billy McKay, Jake Cassidy, Lee Croft and Ollie Banks all having half chances with ever looking like scoring.
Fylde won the game through Craigan’s 50th minute goal. Ryan Flynn handled just ousted the box and the free kick was hit into the top corner giving keeper Chris Kettings no chance.
Latics had chances to draw level through Peter Clarke, McKay, Lee Erwin, Carl Winchester, but none seriously threatened the home keeper.
And a further opening to Erwin in the last minute summed up their day as he volley was kept out by keeper Timothy Dieng, a trialist goalkeeper from Senegal who had been working out at Bolton Wanderers.