OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, BOLTON WANDERERS 0.
Oldham Athletic again proved they can mix it with the best as they beat second-placed Bolton Wanderers to take another giant step towards Sky Bet League One survival.
This victory took Latics past the 50-point mark that ought to be enough to stay clear of the relegation places while it was a defeat that leaves Wanderers with work to do if they are to clinch a top-two spot.
And after taking seven points from a possible nine agains the top-theee teams in the last month, that bodes well for Latics moving forward.
This win against Bolton was certainly a coupon booster after achieved agai st the odds after having Michael Ngoo sent off after an hour.
But Latics battled manfully and the 10 men came up with a late winner from Lee Erwin.
It was also a 17th clean sheet for keeper Connor Ripley, one behind the club record of 18 held by Les Pogliacomi.
Manager John Sheridan named two changes to the team which beat Fleetwood Town last weekend.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway had not recovered from his ha,string injury and was replaced by Ngoo, while Jamie Stott was a late addition to the squad as he replaced Anthony Gerrard who tweaked his hamstring in the warm up.
It was Stott’s first professional start for the club. The defender has been with Latics since eight years of age and was only just recalled from a season-long loan at Curzon Ashton.
Latics started well and Erwin had the first shot of the game after five minutes, but his shot was deflected wide.
The striker had another opportunity five minutes later as he received the ball from Ngoo but volleyed wide of Mark Howard’s goal.
Bolton started to dominate proceedings but Stott, along with captain Peter Clarke and Brian Wilson, did well to keep the lively visiting front men at bay, Darren Pratley ballooning two shots over the crossbar.
Bolton striker Adam Le Fondre was a threat for the visitors and five minutes before the break he almost made the breakthrough when his shot was blocked by Stott.
Goalkeeper Ripley had to be aware minutes after the break as Felipe Morais broke free on the right but he was out quickly to deny the winger.
Latics almost took the lead after 52 minutes when Howard made a double save to deny Peter Clarke and Paul Green’s follow-up effort.
Ngoo was booked a minute later for a late challenge on Bolton defender David Wheater.
Latics almost took the lead from an unlikely source as Wilson struck a volley from the edge of the box but it just went wide of Howard’s goal.
Ryan McLaughlin was on hand to clear off the line on the hour mark to deny Pratley.
Minutes later Ngoo was dismissed after collecting a second caution in quick succession.
With Bolton Wanderers piling on the pressure, Latics looked very bright on the break and should have taken the lead after 72 minutes when Erwin fired wide.
The striker made no mistake three minutes later, however, as he put 10-man Latics ahead poking home a cross from Tope Obadeyi.
Bolton stared to lay siege to Ripley’s goal, but Latics stood firm and defended heroically.
The visitors struck the crossbar twice in the final 10 minutes, first from Wheater’s header and secondly from substitute Chris Long’s fiercely-struck drive.
Latics almost doubled their lead in the final minute of additional time as Obadeyi broke free but the ball ran away from him as they ended the day three points clear of the relegation places with three games to play.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Ripley; Stott, Wilson, Clarke; McLaughlin, Fane, Banks, Green, Obadeyi; Erwin, Ngoo. Subs (not used): Kettings, Law, Edmundson, Mantack, O’Neill, Flynn, Croft.
Goal: Erwin (76) for Oldham.
Attendance: 8,788