MORECAMBE 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
What a crazy division as Oldham Athletic’s victory at Morecambe suddenly sees them looking up rather than down in Sky Bet League Two.
Latics recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in this turbulent campaign and also a first league double of the season.
It leaves Latics, until recently nervously looking over their shoulders at the foot of the division, nine points clear of relegation.
And the victories have left Latics 10 points shy of the promotion play-off places as they currently lie in a season’s high 17th place.
The latest success came courtesy of goals from Desire Segbe Azankpo and Mohamad Sylla either side of half-time.
Midfielder Filipe Morais came back into the starting line-up for Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro who had struggled in the weekend win against Crawley Town.
Morecambe made the livelier start without ever threatening to score.
Latics’ first attacking threat came from Jonny Smith, his shot stinging the hands of Mark Halstead who did well to get down to save the effort at the near post.
Morecambe’s Carlos Mendes-Gomes created an opening for himself but fired over the bar from, the edge of the box.
Derek Adams’ men kept the pressure up when Barry Conlan’s free-kick from distance struck the crossbar after Sylla handled the ball.
But Latics opened the scoring after half an hour when Azankpo bundled the ball over the line after Morais’ effort wasn’t held by the Shrimps’ goalkeeper.
However the home side levelled the score two minutes in the second-half. The tricky Mendes-Gomes slotting a shot underneath goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz after breaking free on the right.
Latics responded positively as Azankpo’s header flew narrowly wide before his next effort was held by Halstead.
The Shrimps responded through Cole Stockton, his first was a fierce shot that flew well wide before in the 67th minute he missed a one-on-one after being gifting the ball by David Wheater who slipped at the crucial moment.
Scott Wilson was introduced by head coach Dino Maamria and his first chance came from a Chris McCann pass as he dragged his shot agonisingly wide.
Latics finally regained the lead with 15 minutes left through midfielder through Sylla’s tap in after Smith’s shot was blocked.
Smith struck the upright as the game entered the last 10 minutes while there was a late scare for Latics when Morecambe’s Alex Kenyon had a goal chalked out for offside with four minutes left.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): de la Paz; Mills, Whater, Hamer, Iacovitti; Morais (Wilson 68), McCann, Sylla, Smith; Maouche (Eagles 80); Azankpo (Egert 87). Subs (not used): Woods, Dage, Akpa Akpro, Emmerson.
Attendance: 2,797 (796 visitors).