OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, FLEETWOOD TOWN 0
Jonathan Forte was spot on for Oldham Athletic who made it three wins in a week with victory against newly-promoted Fleetwood Town.
The wide man’s penalty saw Latics end the unbeaten league record of the Cod Army and was a statement of intent.
And while Forte gained the plaudits, the defence was equally impressive as Paul Rachubka kept a third successive clean sheet.
The keeper was also ably assisted by Latics’ mean defence as James Wilson and George Elokobi who are forming a rock-solid partnership.
There was a debut for Dominic Poleon who was signed from Leeds United on Monday to replace the departed Jonsson Clarke-Harris while Forte, rested in midweek, returned in place of James Dayton on the left.
Danny Philliskirk went close with a couple of first-half efforts while Poleon almost marked his first appearance with a goal as he fired narrowly wide.
And it was the lively Philliskirk who was instrumental in Latics winning a penalty in first half stoppage time as he was tripped by former Latics’ player Steven Schumacher.
Forte stepped forward to fire home his fifth goal of the season.
Latics ought to have forged further ahead early in the second half when they struck the crossbar following a Mike Jones corner while Poleon had a shot saved by Chris Maxwell.
Fleetwood only rarely threatened, though Gareth Evans came close to equalising when he shot just wide.
But late on right-back Brian Wilson made a break from defence and came within a whisker of adding a second goal as Latics continued their climb up the Sky Bet League One table.