CHESTERFIELD 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Peter Clarke, Oldham Athletic’s captain fantastic, was the hero in the Sky Bet League One basement battle at Chesterfield where his last-gasp goal earned a vital victory.
Central-defender Clarke popped up in stoppage time to score the all-important goal that earned three precious points in their scrap against relegation.
Yet Clarke could easily have been no longer a Latics’ player after the club rejected a deadline day bid from rivals and promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United for their talisman.
It was a display by Latics that was full of grit and determination, especially after that had Anthony Gerrard sent off at half time following an altercation in the tunnel with Spireites’ Ian Evatt.
But the spirit new manager John Sheridan has instilled in five games in charge has brought about a transformation in their fortunes with five games yielding nine points – that is more promotion than relegation form.
Sheridan, returning to the team he managed between 2009/12, named two of his deadline-day signings in the starting line up as midfielder Aiden O’Neill took his place in midfield alongside the returning Chris Taylor.
Latics had the first opportunity of the game when Ryan McLaughlin’s effort from the edge of the box was saved by Ryan Fulton.
There was an injury scare when keeper Connor Ripley went down but, fortunately, he was able to continue.
Ched Evans had a shot blocked on the edge of the box after seven minutes before Latics started to take the game to the Spireites.
Midway through the first half, Latics almost took the lead when Aaron Amadi-Holloway had a shot saved by Fulton following a build up featuring Hunt and Ryan Flynn.
Chesterfield had a golden opportunity to take the lead after half an hour as Sadiq El Fitouri’s low cross found Daniel Jones racing in at the back post but the full back fluffed his lines in front of goal.
Gerrard picked up a booking for a foul off the ball on Evans in the build up to that chance.
Flynn had a shot saved by Fulton five minutes before the break while on the stroke of half time, Holloway raced away and released McLaughlin whose drive was saved by Fulton.
Gerrard was cautioned for a second time at the interval and Latics played the second half with 10 men.
Sheridan elected to make a change at the break as Flynn was replaced by Paul Green as the Spireites looked to make their advantage count in the second half.
Latics lined up in a 4-3-2 formation with McLaughlin at right back and Taylor partnering Holloway up front.
Chesterfield started brightly, forcing a number of corners with the final one headed over by midfielder Jon Nolan.
Chances were few and far between in the second half, though home midfielder Nolan struck over on the hour mark.
David Faupala thought he had given Chesterfield the lead on 75 minutes as he struck towards goal but it went behind instead of on target.
The teenage O’Neill, on loan from Burnley, was proving more and more influential and he won a free kick into the final 10 minutes of the game. He stepped up and forced Fulton to push the ball out but unfortunately it went past Holloway who was following up, but could not convert.
Latics continued to frustrate their opponents and, as seven minutes of stoppage time was announced, they struck.
O’Neill’s excellent cross found Clarke rushing in at the far post and he headed Latics into the lead and effectively won them the game that they saw out through fine game management.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt; Taylor (Obadeyi 78), Fane, O’Neill, Flynn (Green 46); McLaughlin, Holloway (Osei 90+3). Subs (not used): Law, Reckord, Banks, Ngoo.
Goal: Clarke 90+1 for Latics.
Attendance: 6,375 (883 visiting supporters)