Despite a promising first half performance, the Latics fell to defeat at home to a Colchester side that took their chance. 

Following a quiet opening few minutes, Oldham got the first chance of the game in the seventh minute. Eagles carried the ball down the right before pulling the ball back to Mohammed Maouche. The Frenchman took a touch before curling the ball towards the goal. His shot just clipped the post as it travelled wide.

Oldham continued to create chances, with shots from Missilou and Fage blocked. Latics looked good all-round, Wheater was organising the defence well and were attacking fiercely. However, the issues of previous weeks once again haunted Oldham; they lacked that clinical edge. Similarly, they lacked a player that could hold up play up-front.

Chances fell for Scott Wilson throughout the half but he often struggled to find his footing. He had the look of a striker that was lacking in confidence.

Colchester began to come into the game more in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the half. However, in the 44th minute, Hamer held the ball up down the right and put a dangerous cross into the penalty area and it was met by Mohammed Maouche, who headed over. This was another frustrating missed chance from the home side.

The Latics were to rue these missed opportunities when Colchester took the lead a minute later. Oldham’s high-line was exploited after Mohammed Sylla lost possession in his own half and the ball was played over the defensive line to Frank Nouble who carried the ball forwards and coolly slotting the ball past Gary Woods.

Colchester walked in ahead at half time and Oldham felt deflated because of it.

HALF TIME: Oldham Athletic 0 – 1 Colchester United

The second half was less entertaining than the first and Colchester looked the more composed of the two sides. Once again, the half started slowly but in the 57th minute, Colchester had a chance to double their lead. Stevenson’s attempt, however, was deflected wide.

Oldham’s best chance of the half came in the 71st minute. Fage picked up the ball on the edge of the box before hitting a powerful attempt towards goal. It was at a good height for United keeper Gerken, who saved well.

Four minutes later, Theo Robinson had a good effort to bounce back off the bar before the rebound, hit by Norris, was well saved by Gary Woods.

Oldham tried to force an equaliser in the final few moments. They attempted this with a traditional tactic of sticking centre-half David Wheater up-front. The attempts didn’t bear fruit, though. The full-time whistle went and once again the side was booed from the field. They remain 22nd in League Two. Colchester were quiet through much of the game but took their best chance of the game to take the lead and managed the game well.

FULL TIME: Oldham Athletic 0-1 Colchester United

Attendance: 3091 (145 Away)

Oldham Athletic XI – Woods, Hamer, Wheater, Iacovitti, Smith-Brown (Branger-Engone 56’), Sylla, Maouche, Missilou (Vera 74’), Fage, Eagles, Wilson (Azankpo 62’).

Subs – Zabret, Mills, Sefil, Stott, Branger-Engone, Azankpo, Vera.

Colchester United XI – Gerken, Jackson, Prosser, Senior (Cowan-Hall 85’), Norris (Brown 80’), Eastman, Clampin, Stevenson, Gambin (Robinson 73’), Comley, Nouble.

Subs – Ross, Brown, Robinson, Chilvers, Kensdale, Cowan-Hall, James.

words Chris Stringer, D3D4 Oldham Athletic correspondent