OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, EXETER CITY 3
Oldham Athletic twice surrendered the lead as they were beaten at home by Sky Bet League Two Exeter City who are in the play-off spots.
Just as Latics had a hat-trick hero in Chris O’Grady is the home win against Bury one week earlier, the Grecians also had one.
Jayden Stockley scored a 32 minute treble to lift Exeter to sixth as Latics dropped one spot to 11th as they suffered a first league loss in seven games.
Stockley, who now has 14 goals, is in demand with the Grecians looking to keep hold of their star man in the January transfer window.
Latics’ manager Frankie Bunn was disappointed by his side’s defending and the lack of protection given to the back line by midfield.
After the sparkling win against Bury, which Bunn described as “near perfect” it was no surprise he began with the same side.
Latics had an early penalty shout as Surridge tangled with Dean Moxey in the Exeter penalty area, but referee Martin Coy waved away the claims.
Surridge wouldn’t be denied as he headed home Tom Hamer’s delightful cross in the 12th minute, his 11th goal of the season for the AFC Bournemouth loanee.
Hamer then found Called Lang from another cross, but Lang couldn’t curl in a shot.
Gevaro Nepomuceno then chipped a delightful ball into Lang, but he too was wayward.
Exeter started to get themselves back into the game as Jake Taylor was found at the back post from a Lee Holmes corner, but he shot into the side netting.
Taylor found himself free in the box moments later, but Daniel Iversen spread himself well to save with his feet.
Surridge then forced a good save from Christy Pym before the visitors found an equaliser.
Exeter were awarded a contentious corner which Holmes put onto the head of Stockley who found the bottom corner.
Latics had the last chance of the half as Nepomuceno tried to catch Pym out at his near post, but the Grecians’ goalkeeper managed to keep out the shot.
Latics regained the lead at the start of the second half as Lang danced his way past two Exeter defenders before drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Holmes hit the bar moments later after good build up down the left-hand side before Surridge fired another effort over.
That same move down the left proved to be Latics’ downfall as Holmes pulled the ball back to Stockley to make it 2-2.
George Edmundson almost gave the lead for a third time after he headed Mohamed Maouche’s corner onto the roof of the net.
But Stockley completed his treble with 20 minutes left as Latics switched off at the back, allowing Holmes to find Stockley at the back post to head into an empty net.
Substitute Ishmael Miller presented a glorious opportunity for Surridge to score, but the striker fired over on the turn.
Lang then fired another shot over as Latics desperately tried to get themselves a share of the spoils.
They should have had the chance as Jordan Lyden was wiped out in the penalty area, but somehow the referee didn’t give what looked a certain spot kick.
The unbeaten league run comes to an end, but Latics must find a way to pick themselves up when they travel to Carlisle United on Boxing Day.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hamer (Taylor 76), Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Lang, Maouche (Lyden 67), Missilou, Nepomuceno; O’Grady (Miller 58), Surridge. Subs (not used): Coke, Graham, Branger-Engone, McFarlane.
Attendance 4,079 (182 visitors).