OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, CHELTENHAM TOWN 0
Oldham Athletic’s patience was rewarded as they secured a much-needed home win against lowly Cheltenham Town at Boundary Park.
Late goals from Jonathan Benteke and Callum Lang earned three points against 10-man Town in front of a sparse crowd of 2,865.
Though Latics had an extra-man advantage for more than half the game after Sam Jones’ sending off, they struggled to make the breakthrough until substitute Benteke broke the deadlock with 15 minutes left.
Latics made two changes from Saturday’s home defeat by Port Vale as Christopher Missilou replaced the injured Jordan Lyden in midfield while Gevaro Nepomuceno was preferred to Johan Branger-Engone out wide.
Latics started the game brightly with Jose Baxter dragging a shot wide only a couple of minutes into the game after neat play from Dan Gardner.
Chris O’Grady then found Baxter running into the box, but Cheltenham captain Johnny Mullins provided a vital interception.
The visitors grew into the game and created their first chance as William Boyle headed wide from a Chris Hussey free kick.
The game seemed to be fizzling out as the half came to a close, but Latics stepped up a gear searching for the opening goal.
Tom Hamer produced a delightful cross-field pass for Nepomuceno who was denied by a good save from Scott Flinders in the Cheltenham goal.
From the resulting corner George Edmundson should have scored with a header, but he put it just wide.
As the game entered stoppage time, Jones produced a late challenge on Missilou with referee Ben Toner ready to give the Cheltenham striker a yellow card.
However, Jones and Baxter got into a heated exchange with the Robins’ man headbutting Baxter giving the referee no choice but to produce the red card.
Manager Frank Bunn introduced Ishmael Miller in the second half and he almost made an instant impact cutting in from the right, but he shot was blocked.
Nepomuceno tried his luck as he cut inside onto his left foot, but Flinders pushed the effort out for a corner with a decent save.
Latics finally took the lead through substitute Benteke as he slid in to convert a low left-wing cross from Rob Hunt.
The home side never looked in trouble once they took the lead and Miller almost grabbed a second, but he fired over from a corner.
Latics sealed victory with their second goal deep into stoppage time when Lang picked up the ball on the edge of the box, took on three Cheltenham players with a lovely piece of footwork before drilling home a low shot.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): Iversen; Hamer, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Missilou, Gardner, Nepomuceno; Baxter (Benteke 64); O’Grady (Miller 54). Subs (not used): Dummigan, Graham, Branger-Engone, Sheridan, McFarlane.
Attendance 2,865 (92 visitors).