OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, BRADFORD CITY 1
Oldham Athletic secured victory at home to Bradford City in a clash involving two out-of-form Sky Bet League One teams.
It was a massive win for Latics who remain in the relegation places after a first win win 10 league games and first of 2018.
And the Bantams remained in the play-off spots, despite this being their sixth straight defeat, as the pressure mounted on manager Stuart McCall (he would be sacked) two days later.
Latics made a dream start scoring a spectacular early goal from Cameron Dummigan, Jordan Gibson equalised for the Bantams late on before substitute Aaron Amadi-Holloway conjured a dramatic winner in the closing moments.
Manager Richie Wellens handed a debut to French full-back Wilfried Moimbe who joined the club on deadline day from FC Nantes.
Adam Chicksen missed an early chance for the Bantams early on, before the breakthrough was made in the 12th minute.
Right-back Dummigan took on his man and as the space, he unleashed an unstoppable effort from 30 yards. The ball thundered into the top corner, flying in off the crossbar to give Latics the perfect start.
The Bantams almost hit back minutes later but Charlie Wyke’s effort was blocked by captain Anthony Gerrard.
Midway through the half, Latics almost made it two as a corner from Ben Pringle found Dan Gardner but his header hit the top of the crossbar.
Duckens Nazon glanced a header wide just before the half hour mark before there was a change in match officials as referee Anthony Backhouse was replaced by assistant Michael D’Aguilar due to injury.
Latics had a great opportunity to extend their lead five minutes before the break but the feet of Bradford City goalkeeper Colin Doyle denied Nazon.
Gardner slid Nazon through on goal with a pinpoint through ball but Doyle denied Latics going two goals ahead.
Gardner, who dominated midfield, had two efforts before the break, firing wide and then denied by Doyle.
Bradford started the second half brightly and Latics had to be alert to stave off several dangerous moments.
Latics hit back and Pringle fired over the crossbar on the hour while minutes later, Bantams’ midfielder Callum Guy struck an effort wide of Johny Placide’s goal.
They extended their lead after 86 minutes after Ryan McLaughlin’s cross found the head of Holloway, who peeled off at the back post, and he headed Latics into a two-goal lead.
However, two minutes later, Bantams pulled a goal back through Gibson.
After Placide made a great save to deny Dominic Poleon, he was beaten at his front post as Gibson reduced the deficit and make it a nervy finish.
Six minutes of additional time was announced and Latics did their best to kill the game off as they took the ball into the corner at every opportunity.
Poleon had the final chance of the game deep into additional time but he fired over as Latics claimed their first win in 2018.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard, Bryan, Moimbe; Fane, Gardner (McLaughlin 67), Byrne (Obadeyi 73), Pringle; Nazon (Amadi-Holloway 62), Davies. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Wilson, Benyu, Nepomuceno.
Goals: Dummigan (12), Holloway (86) for Oldham. Gibson (88) for Bradford.
Attendance: 5,526 (1,967 visitors)