FLEETWOOD TOWN 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0.
When you are down on your luck, as bottom-club Oldham Athletic are at the moment, nothing tends to go your way.
That was the case at Fleetwood Town where a stoppage time own goal from Josh Law condemned Latics to another loss in Sky Bet League One.
It was tough on Stephen Robinson’s side that deserved a point against the in-form Cod Army that didn’t play like a side pushing for the play offs.
But while Latics’ battling qualities could not be faulted, they again lacked a cutting edge.
Incredibly at the half-way point of the season, Latics have scored in only seven out of 23 league games.
And the failure to find the net in 16 of those games in why they are bottom and four points from safety.
Robinson made one change to his starting 11 from last Boxing Day at Sheffield United as Cameron Burgess replaced the injured Charles Dunne in the centre of defence.
And after the 3-5-2 formation worked so well at Bramall Lane, Robinson went with the same system at Highbury Stadium.
Latics made a bright start with the only concern an injury picked up by captain Peter Clarke, but he continued after treatment.
And he made a telling contribution not long after when he blocked a goalbound shot from Jack Sowerby.
Latics had a chance in the 13th minute as Billy Mckay headed wide from a Paul Green cross.
Ashley Hunter almost forced a breakthrough midway through the half as his neat one-two with Bobby Grant saw his effort blocked by Clarke.
However, Latics were the more threatening in attack as Ryan Flynn and Darius Osei set up Mckay whose shot was saved by Alex Cairns.
Flynn cut in before a fierce shot flew wide of the upright while Ryan McLaughlin forced a decent save from Cairns.
Latics continued to create chances early in the second half as Cameron Dummigan’s volley was blocked while Clarke had an effort saved.
Fleetwood’s fortunes improved after Devante Cole came on as Ashley Hunter’s effort flew narrowly wide before Cole, under pressure, skied one over the bar from six yards.
Latics had a great chance to take the lead after 69 minutes as Osei raced beyond the last man, only had the goalkeeper to beat but Cian Bolger managed to get back and tackle the striker.
Robinson brought Lee Croft, Freddie Ladapo and Ollie Banks and the changes worked well for Latics.
Ladapo found space after 85 minutes but his shot was deflected to safety, before Fleetwood started to fight back into the game.
Substitute Chris Long weaved his way into the penalty box two minutes from time but keeper Connor Ripley pulled off a tremendous save to deny the striker.
As the fourth official signalled four minutes of additional time, Fleetwood took the lead through a fortuitous own goal.
A teasing cross from Cole was delivered into the box and Law got a touch to the ball at the near post and diverted it past Ripley.
They did have the ball in the back of the net again minutes later but Chris Long was adjudged to be offside as he placed the ball beyond Ripley.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Burgess; Dummigan, Law, McLaughlin, Green (Croft 64), Flynn (Banks 76); Mckay, Osei (Ladapo 71). Subs (not used): Kettings, Edmundson, Fane, Winchester.
Goal: Law (90og) for Fleetwood.
Attendance: 3,189