NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
All good things must come to an end as Oldham Athletic suffered their first away defeat of the season.
Indeed, it was Latics’ first league loss on the road for 12 league games stretching back to Good Friday when they were beaten at Wigan Athletic.
It was an eventful match in which controversial goals from John-Joe O’Toole and Kevin Van Veen handed the Cobblers three points.
And Latics were not able to capitalise on having a one-man advantage for more than half the game after Sam Foley’s sending off for the hosts.
Latics, whose preparations were disrupted by the sacking of assistant manager Andy Rhodes the day before the game, made a positive start in which they could have won a penalty after claiming Jordan Turnbull handled.
Mohamed Maouche then had a shot blocked inside the six-yard box and Gevaro Nepomuceno dragged an effort wide before Northampton had their first chance as O’Toole also fired wide.
However, as the half entered its final 10 minutes Rob Hunt gave away a dubious free kick which the home side capitalised on.
Latics cleared the initial danger, but the ball was kept alive by the Cobblers and O’Toole headed in past goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.
Foley then saw red moments later for a late challenge on Christopher Missilou. It didn’t look a red card offence, but referee Craig Breakspear showed the Northampton midfielder his marching orders.
However, the referee topped that decision by awarding a penalty to which baffled everyone in the PTS Academy Stadium.
A free kick was delivered into the box and the referee pointed to the spot after an incident involving Peter Clarke which Van Veen stepped up to and scored low to Iversen’s left.
Manager Frank Bunn made two changes at half time as he brought on Ishmael Miller and Jose Baxter, but it was Northampton who nearly scored a third.
Matt Crooks was played through on the counter attack and he chipped an effort wide of Latics’ goal.
Miller had a shot blocked in the box, before a Nepomuceno cross was aimed towards Clarke who seemed to get a push in the back, but once again no penalty was given.
Hunt scrambled a goal back for Latics after 72 minutes following a melee in the Northampton goalmouth.
Hunt then almost turned provider as he picked out Baxter on the edge of the box, but the playmaker couldn’t get a sweet connection on the volley.
Baxter then found substitute Jonathan Benteke from a corner and he saw his header cleared off the line.
But at the opposite end Clarke had to clear a Crooks effort off the line as the Cobblers almost scored a third goal at the death.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hamer, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Maouche, Gardner (Baxter 45), Missilou, Nepomuceno (Benteke 69); O’Grady (Miller 45), Lang. Subs (not used): Taylor, Graham, Branger-Engone, McFarlane.
The goals: John-Joe O’Toole (36), Kevin Van Veen (45pen) for Northampton. Rob Hunt (72) for Oldham Athletic.
Attendance: 4,767 (351 visitors).