OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3, COVENTRY CITY 2
A hugely significant home victory against Coventry City lifted Oldham Athletic out of the Sky Bet League One relegation laces for the first time since September 12.
This battle involving bottom-four teams saw Latics triumph, though they had more than modicum of good luck.
Latics were gifted two of their three goals as Kevin Foley found his own net and keeper Reice Charles-Cook dropped a clanger for Peter Clarke’s second.
But there was nothing wrong with Ryan McLaughlin’s clinching third, a terrific solo strike.
It was also a high-scoring encounter, surprising as it featured the two lowest-scoring sides in League One – Latics had scored only 17 goals in 30 league games before Saturday.
Oldham Athletic moved out of the relegation places with a 3-2 win over bottom of the table Coventry City.
A Kevin Foley own goal gave Latics the lead on eight minutes before Marcus Tudgay equalised a minute later.
Manager John Sheridan made two changes to the side that lost at Milton Keynes Dons four days earlier.
Anthony Gerrard was restored back to the starting line up after serving his one-match suspension and Ryan Flynn came back into the side as Paul Green and Tope Obadeyi dropped to the bench.
After a bright start from Latics, they were rewarded with a ninth-minute goals when Flynn’s cross was turned over the line by Coventry defender Foley.
Coventry were level one minute later when veteran striker Marcus Tudgay fired home from outside the box.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway took a blow to his knee after 13 minutes and tried to continue but was eventually forced off six minutes later to be replaced by Green which meant Latics played without an out and out striker.
Flynn pushed up alongside Ryan McLaughlin in attack, a pairing of a midfielder and right-back/right sided midfield man.
Coventry grew into the game and were unlucky not to be ahead fate half an hour when midfielder Callum Reilly struck the underside of the bar, but keeper Connor Ripley cleared the danger.
Chances for both sides followed as Tudgay missed his kick in front of goal while Chris Taylor’s cross from the left deceived goalkeeper Charles-Cook, but Green could not convert.
In what turned into an end-to-end last five minutes, Taylor tested the Coventry goalkeeper, but his volley from 25 yards was well saved.
Kyle Reid had a chance in the final minute of the half but he volleyed over from close range.
The visitors started the second half the stronger of the two sides and could have taken the lead five minutes into the half when George Thomas knocked the ball beyond Clarke but Ripley managed to get a hand to his shot and turn it onto the post.
Latics started to dictate proceedings as Taylor headed into the path of Green whose volley was saved by the Coventry keeper.
Sheridan made a double change on the hour mark as he introduced Ollie Banks and Michael Ngoo who replaced Ousmane Fane and Flynn.
Latics were well on the front foot and had two chances to regain the lead when Green’s deflected effort landed on the roof of the net and Taylor shot wide of the far post.
Latics were knocking on the door that finally opened midway through the half in fortuitous circumstances.
A cross into the box was not dealt with by Charles-Cook, he dropped the ball and Clarke managed to get his head to the ball and place it into the bottom corner.
Latics continued to attack as Aiden O’Neill went close on two occasions before Latics finally scored a third goal after 70 minutes.
McLaughlin weaved his way through on goal, composed himself and fired confidently into the bottom corner.
Coventry City brought on Jodi Jones and he was instrumental in their second goal after 76 minutes. His cross was headed home by fellow substitute Kwami Thomas to make it a nervy finish.
The Sky Blues started to put the pressure on Latics’ goal and Reilly forced a good save from Ripley while deep into added time, they scrambled the ball to safety after another attack.
During five minutes of added time, Latics had a chance to seal victory as O’Neill struck wide from 25 yards, but they were never troubled as their game management was spot on.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt; Taylor, Fane (Banks 60), O’Neill, Flynn (Ngoo 60); McLaughlin, Holloway (Green 19). Subs (not used): Kettings, Croft, Osei, Obadeyi.
Goals: Foley (8og), Clarke (66), McLaughlin (70) for Latics. Tudgay (9) K Thomas (76) for Coventry.
Attendance: 3,766 (389 visiting supporters)