OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, SOUTHEND UNITED 3
Oldham Athletic dropped into the Sky Bet League One relegation places following a heavy home loss to mid-table Southend United.
And it left disappointed manager Richie Wellens saying his side needs to pick up four points from the remaining two games to ensure safety.
Latics had no answer to Shrimpers’ vastly experienced strike duo of Theo Robinson and Simon Cox who bagged all their goals.
Manager Richie Wellens made two changes to the side which drew 2-2 against AFC Wimbledon at the weekend.
He had one enforced as Brian Wilson replaced the injured Anthony Gerrard while Jack Byrne returned to the starting line-up in place of Tope Obadeyi.
It was a disastrous start for Latics who found themselves behind inside five minutes.
After a corner was not cleared, the ball fell to Robinson who stabbed home from close range.
Latics responded with two efforts of their own soon after. Craig Davies flicked into the path of Eoin Doyle but the striker’s effort went wide of the post.
Seconds later, Davies set up Duckens Nazon who fired wide.
Southend almost doubled their lead after 15 minutes as Stephen McLaughlin’s effort was kept out by the legs of keeper Johny Placide.
Latics started to pile on the pressure and could have been level just before the half hour.
George Edmundson flicked on Tom Hamer’s long throw, Doyle headed at goal but Mark Oxley saved on the line. Latics claimed the ball had crossed the line, but the assistant referee said no.
Oxley saved Doyle’s effort from 25 yards minutes later while Rob Hunt volleyed wide.
Latics thought they had taken the lead minutes before the end of the half as Doyle met a Byrne cross with an outstretched leg, but could not divert the ball on target.
Wellens made a change at the break and brought on Aaron Amadi-Holloway in place of Davies and Latics were soon almost level.
It was Byrne and Doyle who again combined on the edge of the box, Doyle shot but Oxley again made the save low to his right.
Despite Latics starting the half strongly, Southend soon doubled their lead.
Cox’s initial effort from 18 yards was saved but the ball fell into the striker‚Äôs path and he made no mistake.
Two soon became three as Latics again struggled to clear the ball and Cox fired the ball home at the back post to put Southend United three goals ahead.
Latics almost pulled a goal back immediately as Doyle’s cross found Amadi-Holloway unmarked six yards out but the striker could not convert.
Jonathan Benteke was introduced for his debut on the hour as he replaced Ousmane Fane and he almost made an immediate impact.
The striker cut in from the left and curled an effort goalwards but it went wide of the post.
Latics continued to attack despite the scoreline and created a number of chances.
Dan Gardner did well in the middle of the park to win the ball and race into space. He crossed from the left which was met by Doyle who nodded back to Byrne, but his effort was blocked.
A minute later, Gardner again delivered the ball into the box which Byrne met but the midfielder’s effort was again blocked.
Placide had to be alert to tip a free kick on to the post after 82 minutes as Southend almost got a fourth goal.
Latics continued to attack, but could not find a way past a stubborn Oxley.
When they did find a way past him, substitute Gevaro Nepomuceno fired against the post on a night Latics will want to quickly forget.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide, Hamer, Wilson, Edmundson, Hunt; Fane (Benteke 60), Gardner, Byrne, Nazon (Nepomuceno 83); Doyle, Davies (Amadi-Holloway 46). Subs (not used): De La Paz, Stott, Pringle, Obadeyi.
Goals: Robinson (5), Cox (52, 56) for Southend.
Attendance: 3,362 (125 visitors).