OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, BRISTOL ROVERS 2
It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show as Oldham Athletic were beaten at home by Bristol Rovers to remain in the relegation places in Sky Bet League One.
After beating league leaders Scunthorpe United comprehensively four days earlier, Latics went into the game against the Pirates with high hopes of another positive and climbing out of the bottom four.
But it was the visitors who plundered the points to move into the promotion play-off places as they continued their fine start to the season having only bee promoted earlier this year.
A goal in each half from Chelsea loanees Charlie Colkett and substitute Jake Clarke-Salter ensure more misery for Latics whose home record remains woeful with the victory against Iron their lone success in the league at SportsDirect.com Park.
Stephen Robinson unsurprisingly named the same side which beat Scunthorpe United as Freddie Ladapo and Lee Erwin again lead the line.
But after Latics failed to hit the heights against the Iron, Latics’ manager though many of his players were tired after the exertions in that game.
Latics began brightly and Ladapo had an early goalbound shot blocked.
Rovers gradually began to take control as Lee Brown forced a smart save from Connor Ripley while Tom Lockyer headed narrowly over.
They took the lead through Colkett after 26 minutes when a corner was not properly cleared and it fell to the Chelsea man at the far post and he rifled the ball past Ripley.
Latics felt aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty just before the half hour mark as Peter Clarke was manhandled in the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Rovers started to dictate possession as Latics struggled to get a foothold in the game.
Just before the break, Rovers had the chance to double their lead as Gaffney pulled the ball back to Taylor in the box, but the striker curled his effort over the crossbar.
Latics needed a response after the break and they did put pressure on Rovers’ defence.
Robinson brought on Ryan McLaughlin in place of Carl Winchester and he almost made an immediate impact with his first touch.
He picked the ball up in midfield and almost unlocked the defence with a through ball to Ryan Flynn but the goalkeeper was out to smother quickly.
Latics were taking the game to their opponents and after 65 minutes, Erwin’s free kick had to be picked out of the top corner by Roos in the Rovers goal. The striker bent his free kick around the wall but the goalkeeper got across quickly to deny him.
Two minutes later, Flynn let fire from the edge of the box which Roos was forced to tip over the crossbar as Latics went in search of an equaliser.
McLaughlin’s introduction made an impact and his cross on 72 minutes found Erwin in the centre but Roos saved his header.
However, for all their dominance during that period, they were unable to grab an equaliser.
Gaffney forced a smart save from Ripley while Taylor took the ball beyond Ripley, but Peter Clarke was back to deny him adding a second.
But with three minutes of the game remaining, Rovers sealed victory through Clarke-Salter. The Chelsea loanee rose highest from a corner into the box and powered home a near-post header.
Latics refused to concede defeat and Flynn forced a smart save from the goalkeeper at the back post and Jahraldo-Martin stabbed wide the follow up as Latics fired yet another back.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Dummigan, Clarke, Burgess, Reckord; Winchester (McLaughlin 58), Fane, Green (Jahraldo-Martin 83), Flynn; Erwin, Ladapo (Osei 75). Subs (not used): Kettings, Wilson, Banks, Mckay.
Goals: Colkett 26, Clarke-Salter 87 for Bristol Rovers.
Attendance: 4,394 (859 visiting supporters)