OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, YORK CITY 2
Oldham Athletic’s bid for a return to the EFL after three seasons continues to falter following their home defeat against promotion rivals York City.
It’s only one point from a possible 12 for Latics who suffered a third home Vanarama National League defeat of the season in front of a bumper crowd of 8,234.
Latics are now 10 points adrift of the second-placed Minstermen though they have played one less match.
But with only one automatic promotion place, Latics hopes of catching the likes of York and leaders Forest Green Rovers looks to be receding.
It was a miserable night for as they suffered back-to-back home losses after being beaten by lowly Aldershot three days earlier.
First-half goals from Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Ollie Pearce gave York the foundation for only their fifth away league win – they are, however, top of the home form standings.
Latics were passive and lacklustre in the opening period, but at least they put up a fight in the second half, though the damage had already been done.
Fagan-Walcott, (22), the former Tottenham and Cardiff City player, sounded an early warning with a header which flashed narrowly wide.
Latics failed to heed it as the same player broke the deadlock midway through the opening period.
Alex Hunt’s free kick crashed against the upright and former England U16 and U17 international Fagan-Walcott reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.
The night got worse for Latics when York doubled their lead in the 38th minute.
Alex Hunt broke down the right and his cross was converted by Pearce’s powerful drive which was partially saved by Matt Hudson but spun back over the line.
It was a 16th goal of the season from the striker who joined them from Worthing in the summer.
Latics, who were booed off at the break, brought on striker Mike Fondop for the second period and he soon saw a header crash against the bar from Jordan Rossiter’s right-wing cross.
Former Latics’ loanee Josh Stones, who was recently recalled by Wigan and sold to York, was loudly jeered when he came on just after the hour as he had been touted for a permanent move to Boundary Park.
Latics were denied by the frame of the goal for a second time with 19 minutes left when Rossiter’s cross from the right was deflected by Cameron John against the upright.
There were contrasting emotions at the end with the York players and their 1,214 fans jubilant while there further boos and the odd shout for the sacking of Latics’ manager Micky Mellon,