EXETER CITY 5, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
David Wheater’s sending off proved the pivotal moment of the match as Oldham Athletic crashed to a heavy defeat at promotion-chasing Exeter City.
Until Latics’ captain and central defender was dismissed four minutes before half time with the score 1-1, they were arguably the better team.
But the 10 men capitulated without their leader on the pitch as Latics endured a miserable three days having earlier lost at Crewe where their six-match unbeaten run came to an end.
It underlined how cruel football can be as Latics slipped down to 19th place, though they are in no immediate danger.
Head coach Dino Maamria made three changes to the side that lost at Crewe as there were recalls for Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Chris McCann and Johan Branger-Engone as Zak Mills, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Mohammad Maouche lost out.
Latics made a bright start as Jonny Smith forced a decent save from Lewis Ward while Tom Hamer also had a great chance but fired over.
It was the visitors who came close early on as in the 5th minute the dangerous Jonny Smith cut inside from the right-wing before unleashing a curling effort towards goal, but Lewis Ward was just about equal to it as he palmed the strike away from the target.
However, Exeter made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when a slick passing move ended with Matt Jay putting Jayden Richardson clean through on goal and he lobbed advancing goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz.
Maamria’s side were quickly level from a short corner which saw Smith deliver a cross and after a scramble, Wheater headed home from close range.
Latics came close to taking the lead in the 27th minute as Branger-Engone nearly caught the goalkeeper out from a free-kick out wide before Danny Rowe blasted the rebound back towards goal, but Ward pulls off a good save.
Exeter restored their lead just before the interval as Randell Williams’ strike was destined for the back of the net before Wheater handled on the line and referee Keith Stroud awarded the Grecians a penalty and produced a straight red card.
Matt Jay stepped up to send de la Paz the wrong way.
Latics were forced into a reshuffle as defender Mills was brought on and winger Branger-Engone sacrificed.
The Grecians raced out of the blocks in the second half as they extended their lead as Archie Collins’ drive eluded de la Paz who ought to have kept it out.
Collins then turned provider on the hour as his cross found Bowman whose header looped over de la Paz who again was at fault.
Latics had the ball in the net, but Christopher Missilou’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Exeter rubbed more salt into the wound with a fifth goal in the third minute of stoppage time as substitute Brennan Dickenson’s free kick eluded everyone as his went straight in.
Goals: Richardson (20), Jay (43 pen), Collins (51), Bowman (61), Dickenson (90+3) for Exeter. Whether (23) for Oldham.
Oldham Athletic (4-5-1): de la Paz; Hamer, Wheater, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson; Branger-Engone (Mills 44), Missilou, Sylla (N’Guessan 58), McCann, Smith; McCann; Rowe (Dieseruvwe 69). Subs (not used): Allen, Maouche, Wilson, Dieseruvwe.
Attendance 3,527 (74 visitors).