OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, CAMBRIDGE UNITED 4
New head coach Keith Curle witnessed the best and worst of Oldham Athletic during a crazy Sky Bet League Two match at Boundary Park.
Latics, who had failed to find the net in their previous three matches, struck twice in the opening 11 minutes against promotion-chasing Cambridge United, both from Davis Keillor-Dunn.
Cambridge hit back to lead 3-2 by the interval after a pulsating opening period.
Keillor-Dunn then contrived to miss a penalty to equalise, after persuading designated taker Bobby Grant to relinquish the role to give him the chance to complete a hat-trick.
The Yellows punished Latics with a fourth goal to inflict a 12th home league loss from 18 games which have yielded 14 points from a possible 54.
Curle made two changes for his first game in charge at Boundary Park with goalkeeper Ian Lawlor picking up an injury in training meaning Laurie Walker arrived on an emergency loan from Sky Bet League One side MK Dons to make his first EFL appearance.
Also, after an impressive appearance off the bench in midweek, Dylan Fage returned to the side replacing Dylan Bahamboula.
Latics could not have had a better to the clash as after three minutes Keillor-Dunn put his side ahead. The midfielder burst through on goal and confidently took the ball around Callum Burton before tapping into an empty net.
Shortly after, he doubled his and his side’s tally after great play down the right-wing from Nicky Adams and Marcel Hilssner resulted in the right-wing back crossing for Keillor-Dunn who flicked a shot past keeper.
Mark Bonner’s side began to grow into the game and Paul Mullin forced an excellent save from Walker.
However, the U’s pulled a goal back in the 25th minute as Raphael Diarra brought Greg Taylor down inside the box and earned his side a penalty. Mullin stepped up and smashed his penalty down the middle to equal a Cambridge club-record for individual goals in a single season.
Following that, the visitors were level as left-back Jack Iredale raced forward and tried his luck from the edge of the area with a strike which took a deflection to beat Walker, leaving him with no chance.
In stoppage time, the Yellows were ahead as they produced a fantastic footballing move which resulted in Mullin back heeling to Iredale and his powerful effort found the far corner for his second of the game.
The second half took time to reignite until the 68th minute when Andrea Badan powered his way into the Cambridge box before being brought down and referee Brett Huxtable pointed to the spot.
Initially, substitute Grant picked up the ball but, after a discussion, he gave the ball to Keillor-Dunn for a chance to complete a hat-trick. However, the midfielder was denied by the goalkeeper’s smart save low to his right.
The visitors extended their lead minutes later as substitute Luke Hannant scored direct from a corner though Walker helped it on its way as his attempted punch only diverted the ball into the goal.
Latics were unable to wipe out a two-goal deficit as the U’s secured a huge win in their bid for an automatic promotion place.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Adams, Diarra, Piergianni, Badan, Fage, Ntambwe, McCalmont, Hilssner (Bahaboula 59), Keillor-Dunn (Tasdemir 81), McAleny (Grant 59). Subs (not used): Bilboe, Whelan, Da Silva, Sutton.
Goals: Keillor-Dunn, 3, 11, for Oldham. Mullin 25 pen, Iredale, 36, 45+2, Hannant 73.