FOREST GREEN ROVERS 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
A third straight defeat has plunged Oldham Athletic back into the Sky Bet League Two relegation places.
The latest loss at leaders Forest Green Rovers leaves Latics four points adrift of safety with three games remaining.
And to make matters worse, Stevenage and Barrow, also striving to preserve their EFL status, have played one less with both also having a superior goal difference.
It looks likely Latics will certainly have to win two, possibly all three games, if they are to avoid relegation for the first time since they were elected to the Football League in 1907.
Latics’ loss, coupled with draws for Barrow and Stevenage, made Easter Monday one to forget – the only things which could have made it worse had their rivals also taken maximum points.
Two goals in the first half consigned Latics to defeat at Forest Green and, despite a much-improved showing after the break, there was to be no way back for John Sheridan’s side – Christopher Missilou even missed a penalty late in the game which could have handed them a lifeline.
Forest Green have been the benchmark for the whole of League Two this season, despite a recent wobble in form, and they underlined their credentials during a first half that was one-way traffic.
If there was a goal to sum up Latics’ season, it was the opener inside eight minutes. A slack pass out of defence from Harrison McGahey went straight to Regan Hendry, whose 20-yard effort took a significant deflection as it looped over goalkeeper Danny Rogers.
There was a vibrancy to the hosts’ early attacking play, Rogers denying Hendry from range shortly afterwards, and Latics, without the presence of the suspended Carl Piergianni in the back line, were jittery when under pressure.
Sheridan had opted for an attack-minded line-up and Latics had their moments. The visitors somehow failed to score with three chances in quick succession, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Jamie Hopcutt and Missilou being denied by a combination of goalkeeper Luke McGee and his defenders amid a goalmouth scramble.
Yet any respite for Latics was temporary, Nicky Cadden firing a free kick over before Rogers saved from Jack Aitchison.
The home side added to their lead four minutes before the break, Jamille Matt scoring with a glancing header to convert a left-wing cross from Cadden.
Matt almost scored his second in added time, striding past Will Sutton and bearing down on goal but Rogers stood strong.
Sutton was part of a double change at the break, Hopcutt also making way as Kyle Jameson and Nicky Adams were introduced and, with the words of Sheridan no doubt ringing in their ears, there was a renewed intent about Latics from the restart.
A corner from Adams was cleared to Missilou, whose volley from the edge of the area was held by goalkeeper Luke McGee.
Adams helped bring extra urgency to Latics’ play, but the visitors were unable to capitalise on a series of crosses and dead balls. For their increased possession, Latics were sorely missing a cutting edge to their attack.
Even when Latics were presented with a golden opportunity to get back into the game, Jameson being hauled down inside the area with 10 minutes remaining, they failed to take the chance, Missilou blazing the resulting penalty over the crossbar to complete a miserable afternoon.
Oldham Athletic: Rogers, Clarke, Hart, McGahey, Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Stobbs, Bahamboula (Vaughan 75), Hopcutt (Adams 46), Missilou, Sutton (Jameson 46). Subs (not used): Leitwiler, Diarra, Hunt, Couto.
Goals: Hendry (8), Matt (41).
Attendance: 3,137 (504 visitors).