OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, SALFORD CITY 4
Oldham Athletic’s festive cheer disappeared as their running run was ended by Salford City who produced a deadly attacking display at Boundary Park.
Back-to-back wins against Crawley Town and Morecambe had lifted Latics to a season’s high 17th place.
Suddenly talk of relegation was replaced by whispers about the play-offs as Latics suddenly found themselves 10 points adrift of the top seven.
The euphoria of the previous weekly quickly dissipated after Latics’ miserable home form continued – they have won only three of 12 home league games – in the first-ever clash between the two clubs.
And it was Salford, with brace of goals from Jake Jervis and Brandon Thomas-Asante, who moved to within two points of the play-off place in their debut campaign in Sky Bet League Two.
Latics made only one change from the side that won at Morecambe three days earlier as Tomas Egert was recalled into the back line in place of the injured Alex Iacovitti.
Latics started brightly and Filipe Morais had the first half-chance of the game in the opening minute, but his effort was blocked. Five minutes later, Desire Segbe Azankpo headed over the bar from a Jonny Smith corner.
However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after quarter of an hour. Jervis cut in from the left before his shot found its way to the bottom corner via the hand of the Zeus de la Paz who will be disappointed that it eluded him.
Less than a minute later, the Ammies doubled their lead. A long ball over the top found Thomas-Asante who was afforded acres of space by a charitable defence.
There were muted appeals for a Latics penalty for a handball in the 33rd minute from Morais’ shot.
An incisive break away from the visitors in the 36th minute put the game beyond doubt. Smart work from Craig Conway followed by an exquisite cross to the back post where Jervis was on hand to head home his second goal.
Any faint hopes of a comeback were gone less than three minutes into the second half, Jervis had the freedom of Boundary Park and when the ball came to him, he could not miss.
Latics had a chance to pull one back from the penalty spot but Morais’ spot-kick was saved well by Chris Neal.
A brilliant header from Azankpo reduced the deficit shortly before the hour, but it was merely a consolation. An inviting cross from Zak Mills found the unmarked forward who headed home.
Latics, in fairness, never gave up and continued to push for a goal, Scott Wilson had the most notable chance, but headed wide from a difficult angle.
Salford remained a constant threat on the break and they very nearly made it five, Thomas-Asante got on the end of a through ball and went around de la Paz, but the eventual shot cleared over the bar.
Jervis had another chance to take home the match ball but he side-footed an effort over the bar.
Goals: Azankpo (58) for Oldham. Jervis (15, 36), Thomas-Asante (16, 48).
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): de la Paz; Mills, Wheater, Egert (Fage 23), Hamer; Sylla, McCann (Wilson 61); Morais (Eagles 64), Maouche, Smith; Azankpo. Subs (not used): Woods, Adams, Akpa Akpro, Emmerson.
Attendance: 5,279 (773 visitors).