PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 4, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
OLDHAM Athletic never recovered from a nightmare opening as they suffered a heavy loss at Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League One.
Two down inside six minutes, there was no way back for Latics against the fast-improving Pilgrims who moved out of the relegation places.
This was not the time to be playing Plymouth, a team anchored in bottom spot until a great run that has now seen them win four and draw one of the last seven games.
Manager Richie Wellens made changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
Notable absentees included Eoin Doyle and Kean Bryan who missed the game through illness.
It was a disastrous star for Latics who fell behind in the third minute.
Plymouth broke from a corner and the ball fell to Ryan Taylor on the edge of the box, he released Toumani Diagouraga who took the ball round keeper Johny Placide to put the home side ahead.
One soon became two as Graham Carey latched on to a long through ball and lobbed the goalkeeper to extend the Pilgrims lead.
Shellshocked Latics responded positively as Craig Davies forced a save from Kelle Roos after 11 minutes but it was the home side who almost extended their lead not long after.
Carey got beyond Anthony Gerrard, fired across the face of goal but Ryan McLaughlin managed to hack the ball off the line when a goal looked likely.
Midway through the half, Gevaro Nepomuceno saw an effort deflected while at the other end, Carey’s effort from 25 yards was blocked by Brian Wilson.
Two chances for the home followed as David Fox’s effort was blocked by Dan Gardner while Sonny Bradley headed over.
Latics had the finally chance of the half as a cross into the box was towards Davies but he could not connect and the ball flew wide.
Wellens made a double change at the break bringing on Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Rob Hunt.
Latics started the second half well as Nepomuceno found Amadi-Holloway at the back post but his header was blocked.
And they halved the deficit after 57 minutes when Anthony Gerrard headed home Jack Byrne’s corner.
However, Plymouth regained their two-goal advantage only two minutes later when Carey’s free kick from 35 yards found Ryan Edwards who headed beyond Placide.
Latics continued to create chances as Amadi-Holloway beat the offside trap, laid the ball back to Davies who only had the goalkeeper to beat, but Roos was out quickly to make a superb save to deny the striker.
Latics would rue that missed opportunity as Plymouth scored their fourth goal of the game after 72 minutes.
Jake Jervis, who had only been on the pitch for a minute, latched on to a long ball and fired past Placide to put the game beyond doubt.
Latics fought until the end. Byrne forced a smart save from Roos while substitute Tope Obadeyi headed into the side netting, too little left as they returned home empty handed.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Placide; Dummigan, Wilson, Gerrard; Fane (Hunt 46), Gardner, Flynn, Nepomuceno (Obadeyi 66), McLaughlin (Holloway 46); Byrne, Davies. Subs (not used): Wilson, Clarke, Green.
Goals: Diagouraga (3), Carey (6), Edwards (59), Jervis (73) for Plymouth. Gerrard (57) for Oldham.
Attendance: 10,017 (289 visitors).