EXETER CITY 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic slipped back into the Sky Bet League Two relegation places following their defeat at high-flying Exeter City.
Goals from Matt Jay and Jevani Brown gave the Grecians a two-goal lead early in the second half at St James’ Park.
And all Latics had to show for their efforts was a brilliant late strike from Tottenham loanee Jamie Bowden as they are now back in the bottom two.
This was always going to be a tough examination for head coach Keith Curle’s side against an Exeter team who were targeting a club record 14th game without defeat, and so it proved.
about:blank Curle made one change from the Emirates FA Cup draw at Ipswich, Nicky Adams starting for the first time since August in place of Dylan Fage.
Adams had been missing with a hamstring injury and with other lengthy absentees also nearing fitness, Ouss Cisse, Jamie Hopcutt and Jack Stobbs were on the bench.
Latics started brightly, Bowden bringing a good early save from Cameron Dawson after a run into the area by Adams had earned Latics a corner.
Minutes later, Bowden was involved again, feeding the ball out to the left as the visitors broke well, allowing Benny Couto to cut in and his shot flashed narrowly wide of the far post.
Yet things soon turned against Latics, Jay putting the home side in front in the 17th minute with a shot from inside the area after being set up by Josh Key.
Although the home side proceeded to take control of play, chances were at a premium. Latics tried to respond as Adams broke down the right again, but Hallam Hope was unable to connect with his cross, while a shot from Bowden shot was charged down by Jay.
Sam Nombe headed over from Key’s right-wing cross and the hosts increased their lead early in the second half, Brown steering the ball home after a slip in the Latics defence.
Curle looked to the bench as he tried to bring about change, Hopcutt coming on having been sidelined since August, while Stobbs and Zak Dearnley were also introduced.
Latics’ biggest threat came from the crosses supplied by Adams on the right but despite sending the ball into good areas, there was often no visiting player there to capitalise.
Exeter should have added a third just after the hour, Brown racing clean through on goal having seized on a slip from Jordan Clarke, but he sent his effort wide.
By the time Bowden found the target with a firing a swerving strike from 30 yards past the outstretched Dawson and into the top right-hand corner, Latics had started to threaten again.
Hopcutt had a chance while Clarke delivered a cross in the closing stages, only for Stobbs to miscue before Adams shot over.
Bowden’s free kick in stoppage time also struck the Exeter wall but the late flurry could not prevent defeat.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, McGahey, Piergianni, Adams, Whelan, Hope, Keillor-Dunn (Hopcutt 61), Bowden, Bahamboula (Dearnley 61), Couto (Stobbs 59). Subs (unused): Southerington, Cisse, Fage, Diarra.
Goals: Jay (17), Brown (50) for Exeter City. Bowden (84) for Oldham Athletic.
Attendance: 5,103 (195 visitors).