CAMBRIDGE UNITED 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic would be shoe-ins for promotion if their destiny was determined by their away form.
They recorded a sixth straight win on their travels in all competitions at Cambridge United where second-half goals from Conor McAleny and Alfie McCalmont secured maximum points.
And in the Sky Bet League Two form table, Latics are in second place to Forest Green Rovers with five wins and a draw from eight road trips.
That is a contrast to their miserable home record of one win from eight league games at Boundary Park as head coach Harry Kewell’s side is third bottom in the home league table.
Kewell made three changes from the side beaten at home by Tranmere.
Carl Piergianni, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Tommy Rowe lost out as there were recalls for Harry Clarke, Sido Jombati and Bobby Grant.
It was a momentous afternoon at the Abbey Stadium where fans were allowed back for the first time since the initial lockdown in March with a 2,000 capacity.
Though Latics had to wait until the second period to secure victory with two goals in the space of four minutes, they were superior in the opening period.
They should have taken the lead when Brice Ntambwe found the net with a low strike, his effort ruled out for offside.
Bobby Grant saw an early effort blocked by defender Greg Taylor while Dylan Fage did well to hold off the challenge of Harrison Dunk but could only place the ball wide when he had more time than p he realised.
Grant also had a goal attempt after a good break and cross from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, but Dimi Mitrov was equal to it. The Cambridge keeper also denied Alfie McCalmont who had a shot from the edge of the box.
Cambridge enjoyed their most productive spell midway through the half and they later had a golden chance take the lead three minutes before the interval.
The home side was awarded a penalty when Harry Clarke fouled Harvey Knibbs but Ian Lawlor produced a great save to keep out Paul Mullin’s spot-kick, reaching low to his left to turn the ball away.
It was almost as if that give Latics the impetus needed to secure the points because, within minutes of the re-start, they had a two-goal advantage.
McAleny continued his own superb individual run of form by putting Latics in front with a great half-volley from inside the area, his 11th goal of the season.
Borthwick-Jackson drove in a cross from the left and an initial effort from McCalmont was blocked before McCalmont made no mistake.
And it was McCalmont who completed the quick-fire double, sliding the ball home at the far post after Jombati turned the ball back from Bobby Grant’s corner.
Substitute Dylan Bahamboula dragged a shot wide, before his free kick provided a chance for Jordan Barnett who just failed to connect in front of.
Bahamboula also lined up a free kick which was heading for the top corner only for goalkeeper Mitrov to turn it away.
Latics’ victory was comfortable even though Paul Mullin’s stoppage-time strike – a fine finish after turning well in the area – ensured a nervy finish.
Goals: Mullin, 90+1, for Cambridge. McAleny, 57, McCalmont, 60, for Oldham.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Clarke, Borthwick-Jackson, Jombati, Garrity, Grant, Fage (Whelan 77), Ntambwe, McAleny (Barnett 77), Diarra, McCalmont (Bahamboula 66). Subs (not used): Bilboe, Rowe, Keillor-Dunn, Hamer.