PETERBOROUGH UNITED 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s miserable run and slide down Sky Bet League One continued with a heavy defeat at Peterborough United.
After a promising start in the goalless opening period, Latics fell apart in the second half losing to goals from Junior Morais, George Cooper and Jack Marriott sealed victory for Posh at the ABAX Stadium.
Manager Richie Wellens made three changes to the midweek win over Leicester City U21s and handed return debuts to Kean Bryan and Jack Byrne.
Bryan signed on loan until the end of the season earlier in the week while Byrne penned a two-and-a-half-year contract and were both making their first appearance since the New Year’s Day defeat to Shrewsbury Town.
Despite the presence of these two influential players, they were unable to bring about an upturn in fortunes.
Latics started brightly and from a partially cleared free kick the ball came back into the box and found an unmarked Craig Davies but he hit his volley against goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Peterborough broke and Marcus Maddison raced through on goal but Wilson recovered to block his shot.
Latics could have gone ahead after 11 minutes. Tope Obadeyi intercepted a pass and found Davies on the right. He fired low towards Byrne who took the ball in his stride and attempted to find the bottom corner but the ball was cleared.
Latics had to be wary of the counter attack as Marriott raced through on goal after 19 minutes but Johny Placide came out and made a great save to deny the forward.
Anthony Gerrard was forced off midway through the half with injury as Byrne took over the captain’s armband.
Latics had two good chances just after the half hour mark. Firstly Ben Pringle capitalised on an error in the defence but had his shot from 12 yards blocked, whilst from the resulting corner, Byrne’s fierce effort was saved by Jonathan Bond.
Wellens’ men continued to attack towards the end of the half as Pringle headed inches wide and Cameron Dummigan fired an effort wide.
It was goalless at the break but Posh started the second half strongly and were almost ahead after 52 minutes when Maddison fired in a free kick from close range which hit Ousmane Fane who managed to clear.
However, a minute later, Peterborough United were ahead through Morais. The forward received the ball in space, was allowed to turn 25 yards from goal and he slotted into the bottom corner.
Latics almost hit back straight away but Davies’ header went over the crossbar.
Placide had to be alert minutes later as Posh twice went close to a second goal.
Firstly, Chris Forrester fired from 30 yards which Placide did well to tip over the crossbar while a minute later, Edmundson cleared off the line after a fierce strike from Marriott.
Both sides made changes as Wellens brought on Dan Gardner and Aaron Amadi-Holloway to add to the firepower.
However, Latics were faced with a problem as they were reduced to 10-men after 68 minutes as Edmundson received a second yellow card for hauling back Marrott and Latics played the final 20 minutes a man lighter.
That did not stop them attacking and they were a whisker away from an equaliser after 75 minutes.
Byrne laid the ball off into the path of Gardner who rattled the post from 25 yards.
Posh thought they had doubled their lead after 78 minutes as Maddison’s whipped cross found Morais in the centre but he was adjudged to be offside.
They did eventually double their lead after 84 minutes as Cooper curled his effort into the bottom corner and in the final minute, Posh had the chance to further extend their lead from the penalty spot.
Gardner was adjudged to have fouled Marriott in the penalty box and he picked himself up to send Placide the wrong way to win the game for Posh.
Oldham Athletic (4-5-1): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard (Edmundson 25), Bryan, Wilson; Benyu (Gardner 60), Fane, Pringle, Byrne, Obadeyi (Amadi-Holloway 61); Davies. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Maouche, Nepomuceno, Duffus.
Goals: Morais (53), Cooper (84), Marriott (90) for Oldham.
Attendance: 5,027 (367 visitors).