CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic upset the Sky Bet League Two form book following their win at Cambridge United.
They posted a much-needed first league win of the season at the fifth attempt as the Us suffered a first loss of the season.
The unexpected win lifted Latics from last place to third bottom as they climbed out of the relegation places thanks to goals from Spaniard Urko Vera and David Wheater.
And after a difficult start to the campaign, Latics provided some long-awaited cheer for their fans, especially the 220 who made the lengthy journey.
Key midfielders Mohamad Maouche and Christopher Missilou returned after injury after missing the midweek home draw against Exeter City when they picked up their first point of the season.
There was also a recall for Vera up front as he was preferred to Desire Segbe Azankpo
Mohamed Sylla and Johan Branger-Engone also lost their places.
The Us started the game on the front foot and Luke Hannant had three chances in the opening 10 minutes, though none troubled goalkeeper Gary Woods.
Oldham responded but a couple of half-chances from Missilou were wide of the target with Cambridge’s Liam O’Neil hitting a shot from distance that was not far wide.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Vera put Latics in front. Chris Eagles delivered a great cross in from the left, with the Spanish striker unmarked his header was on target but punched out by goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. Vera, following up, bundled the ball over the line.
Cambridge came back and nearly equalised but Woods was on hand to deny O’Neil producing a fantastic low save on the half-hour.
The hosts made no mistake with their next chance five minutes later. With referee Scott Oldham not signalling for a penalty, Cambridge played on as former Latics’ player Marc Richards found the net with a neat shot on the turn.
United kept coming forward and just before the break, Leon Davies hit the crossbar from a tight angle and a free-kick from Smith was tipped around the post by Woods to send the teams in at the break level.
Colin Calderwood’s Cambridge team started the second period positively.
The hosts who were unbeaten and near the top before this fixture, but Latics regained the lead midway through the second period.
Maouche floated a free-kick in from the right, finding the head of Wheater who made no mistake from close range.
Cambridge camped in Latics’ half for the last quarter of the game.
Substitute Azankpo nearly completed a perfect counter attack with five minutes remaining as good play between Branger-Engone and Maouche found the African striker in space, but he dragged his shot wide.
But after some resolute defending, including excellent saves from Woods, Latics held on despite the home side enjoying 71 per cent possession and having 22 goal attempts to Latics’ seven.
Oldham Athletic (4-5-1): Woods; Hamer, Iacovitti, Wheater, Smith-Brown; Fage, Maouche, Missilou, Eagles (Azankpo 54), Nepomuceno (Branger-Engine 65); Vera (Sylla 55). Subs (not used): Mills, Stott, Wilson, Zabret.
Goals Richards (35) for Cambridge). Vera (28), Wheater (67) for Oldham.
Attendance: 4,004 (220 visitors).