OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0
Free admission drew a bumper crowd of 7,224 to SportsDirect.com Park where lowly Oldham Athletic beat promotion-chasing Peterborough United.
Goals in the last quarter of the game from Paul Green and Ryan McLaughlin saw new manager John Sheridan record back-to-back home victories and ease their relegation fears.
And six points from his first three games has provided evidence to suggest he can mastermind a great escape for the second successive season.
Two clean sheets and three goals scored also suggested that Sheridan is already beginning to stamp his mark on what had been an under-performing side that is now three points from a position of safety.
After Saturday’s disappointing loss at Shrewsbury Town, Sheridan bravely made four changes.
Jamie Reckford replaced the injured Cameron Dummigan at full-back, Paul Green and Ollie Banks restored to the midfield while there was a debut for Aaron Amadi-Holloway up front.
Holloway partnered Ryan McLaughlin, normally a wide player, up front as new-boy Michael Ngoo and Billy Mckay both lost their places.
After a tentative opening, Latics had the better chances in the first half.
Ollie Banks hit an effort over the crossbar from 25 yards and then his free kick was deflected wide of the goal from the edge of the box.
Latics were knocking on the door and McLaughlin was the next to go close when his shot was deflecte narrowly wide.
Captain Peter Clarke was a threat in the air from set pieces and after 37 minutes almost netted the opening goal of the night when he volleyed over the bar from McLaughlin’s cross.
Latics started the second half strongly and took the game to their opponents.
Green had the first effort of the second half, but his volley was well kept out by Posh goalkeeper Luke McGee who not long after denied McLaughlin.
Clarke had a header cleared off the line as Latics pressed to make a breakthrough.
Fans felt a penalty should have been awarded from a corner as Anthony Gerrard tumbled in the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Latics’ persistence was rewarded after 68 minutes as the referee awarded them a penalty after one of them players was man handled in the box. Green stepped up and sent McGee the wrong way as the noise almost lifted the rooves of the stands.
They continued to put the pressure on Posh as Holloway smashed over a shot from 12 yards following Banks’ corner.
Flynn, who had an impressive game, set up Banks who forced a good saved from McGee in the Posh goal.
However, a minute later, McLaughlin added the second goal to seal the victory. Holloway held up the ball superbly to set up the goal, he crossed into the centre for McLaughlin and the striker could not miss from five yards.
Latics saw the game out, though it may have been different had Marcus Maddison scored – he struck the bar from 30 yards in the final minute.
A huge crowd of 7,224 witnessed the victory as Latics marched on and picked up three vital points.
Oldham Athletic (4-1-2-1-2): Ripley; Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Reckord; Fane; Banks, Green; Flynn; McLaughlin (Mckay 88), Holloway (Ngoo 89). Subs (not used): Kettings, Law, Edmundson, Mantack, Erwin.
Goals: Green (69), McLaughlin (82) for Latics.
Attendance: 7,224 (442 visitors)