CHESTERFIELD 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Goalkeeper Tommy Lee, so often the scourge of Oldham Athletic, literally handed them a much-needed Sky Bet League One victory at Chesterfield.
The ever-reliable stopper was at fault for both Latics’ strikes, the second of which has been debited as an own goal.
It was a big win for Latics as they began the day just above the relegation places and lifts them to the giddy heights of 18th place – and they remain unbeaten on their league travels, remarkable for mid-November and a contrast to their awful form at SportsDirect.com Park.
David Dunn made two changes from the side that played at Mansfield Town in the FA Cup, though Cameron Dummigan was enforced through international duty.
Ricardo Fuller was dropped to the bench with James Wilson returning after injury while Liam Kelly was back after suspension in midfield.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake had an early chance for Chesterfield and Carl Winchester for Latics, but neither keeper was troubled.
Lee was the first keeper called into action saving well from Mark Yeates.
Chesterfield ought to have taken the lead after half an hour when Ian Evatt showed why he is a defender with a complete miss kick in front of goal.
The breakthrough came after 34 minutes when Ebanks-Blake, a striker previously linked with Latics, converted a cross from six yards with deadly precision.
Latics hit back and Kelly was unlucky to see his 25-yard shot deflected over the crossbar.
And they also made a bright start to the second half in which Dominic Poleon and Yeates had openings without troubling Lee who later saved well from Winchester.
Dunn made a double change with 21 minutes left as Jay Fulton, back from international duty with Scotland under-21s, and Giorgio Rasulo replaced Winchester and Michael Higdon.
And it proved an inspired switch as Rasulo provided the assist for the equaliser as his 25-yard shot was spilled by Lee for Poleon to knock in the rebound.
Rasulo, who is on loan from Milton Keynes Dons, provided the spark that Latics had lacked as they went in pursuit of a winner.
Poleon, operating in a more advanced role after Higdon’s withdrawal, had two sniffs at goal.
Chestefield were also a threat and former Latics’ loanee Daniel Jones struck the crossbar with a deep cross.
Latics came up with the all-important winner three minutes from the end when Danny Philliskirk let fly from 30 yards and Lee fumbled the shot into his own net as the ball trickled over the goalline.
And they might have added a third when Rasulo released Poleon whose goalbound shot was blocked.