Mohammed Maouche secured Oldham a much-needed three points as the Latics came from behind to beat Crawley.
Oldham showed glimpses of attacking intent in the opening few minutes, with cutting long passes being played by the Latic’s full-backs and wingers. However, as has often been an issue this season, the defence was weak.
McCann was pulling the strings in the centre of midfield, but the chances created by him were wasted by Akpa Akpro and Azankpo. Indeed these missed chances were costly. In the 16th minute, Crawley counter-attacked and Young was allowed to waltz through the Oldham defence before slotting into the bottom corner; an all to familiar sight for the Latics fans.
The game became rather drab following this goal. Oldham looked to lack confidence and were deflated whilst Crawley showed a lack of quality. Both sides became rather wasteful with their opportunities. Lubala fired over the bar from a freekick in the 29th minute, whilst Johnny Smith fired over from the edge of the penalty area two minutes later.
Oldham’s best chance of the game was in the 39th minute. A corner came in which Wheater played back across goal for Iacovitti. The defender headed towards goal and Azankpo connected with the ball three yards out. His attempt somehow sailed wide; it looked easier to score. Crawley walked in with a one-goal lead at half time.
Oldham came out looking like a new team in the second half and they soon made their newfound quality count. In the 49th minute, Wheater managed to get his head on the end of a corner. His header bounced off the inside of the post and rolled in.
Eight minutes later, Mohammed Maouche gave the home side the lead. The Frenchman had been superb in the second half and he was rewarded with a well-worked goal. Iacovitti showed real determination to dispossess the visitors before playing the ball to Wilson. Wilson slotted the ball through to Maouche who coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
Oldham continued to push for another foal, with Maouche and Wilson testing Morris on a number of occasions. The Latics looked in control and probably could have won by a larger margin. The last few minutes, however, were nervy. Lubala was finding a lot of space in and around the penalty area and should have scored in the 88th minute from close range. Set pieces in the last few moments failed to amount to much and Oldham walked off deservedly victorious.
Oldham Athletic 2-1 Crawley Town.
Attendance: 2,732 (55 away supporters).
Oldham Athletic XI: De La Paz (GK), Mills, Iacovitti, Maouche (Eagles ’83), Azankpo (Egert ’89), Sylla, McCann, Smith, Akpa Akpro (Wilson ’36), Wheater, Hamer.
Subs: Woods (GK), Smith-Brown, Wilson, Fage, Adams, Egert, Eagles.
Crawley Town: Morris (GK), Young, Doherty, McNerney, Palmer, Ferguson, Nathanial-George (Camara ’83), Allarakhia (Bloomfield ’67), Tunnicliffe, Bulman, Lubala.
Subs: Jones (GK), Dallison, Francomb, Bloomfield, Sendles-White, Galach, Camara.
Man of the match: Jonny Smith
Referee: Martin Coy
words Chris Stringer, D3D4 Oldham Athletic correspondent