EXETER CITY 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic’s first victory in half a century at play-off side Exeter City again underlined their inconsistency.
Beaten at home by second-bottom and woefully out-of-form Scunthorpe United the previous week, Latics inflicted a first defeat on the Grecians in 14 matches.
And they halted the host’s quest to match their club record 15 game unbeaten sequence set 52 years ago.
Latics also displayed immense character as the victory was secured after falling behind early in the match to a Randell Williams goal.
Strikes from Aussie George Blackwood and a spectacular free kick from Danny Rowe earned Harry Kewell’s side an important victory as they ended a run of six straight wins at St James’ Park by the hosts.
It lifted them to 17th place and six points clear of the bottom two relegation places and they suddenly find themselves only six shy of the play-off places.
Kewell made three changes to the side disappointingly beaten at home by the Iron.
There were recalls for defenders Carl Piergianni and Raphael Diarra and midfielder Dylan Fage.
The three players to lose out were Tom Hamer, Harry Clarke and Kyle Jameson.
There was little indication of what was about to unfold when Williams put Exeter ahead in the 12th minute, turning home the rebound after an initial effort from Matt Jay drew a great save from Ian Lawlor.
But having regained their composure, Latics went on to produce some fine football of their own and their attacking intent was rewarded with an equaliser nine minutes later.
After chances for Rowe and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Blackwood levelled as he bent a shot finish beyond goalkeeper Jokull Andresson after a decisive break by Dylan Bahamboula.
The French striker almost scored the visitors’ second with a cross-shot which grazes the crossbar before Rowe found the target with a memorable 32nd minute effort.
Rowe found the net with a free kick from 40 yards which arrowed past Andresson into the top left-hand corner.
It was a moment worthy of winning any game and Latics dug deep to withstand heavy pressure at times to ensure they returned home from Devon victorious.
Latics had Lawlor to thank for a series of important saves as the second half progressed, showing his reflexes to deny Ryan Bowman and Williams twice.
There were also key contributions from Piergianni and Ben Garrity, who both produced goalline blocks from Jay and Nicky Law respectively.
Yet Latics posed a constant threat on the counter while remaining resolute at the back. Andresson made a double sale from Blackwood and Rowe before the former curled a shot narrowly wide.
Rowe also brought the best from Andresson with two free-kicks in quick succession, but it was his stunning set-piece in the first half that ultimately proved the difference.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Borthwick-Jackson, Piergianni, Garrity (Whelan 83), Blackwood (Barnett 69), Rowe, Keillor-Dunn, Fage, Ntambwe, Diarra (Jombati 75), Bahamboula (Grant 69). Subs (not used): Bilboe, Da Silva, Hamer.