CREWE ALEX 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s defeat at bottom-club Crewe Alexandra leaves them perilously close to the foot of the Sky Bet League One table.
Latics remain in the relegation places and are only one point off bottom spot after this costly loss, their third league defeat in a row.
And it was also Latics’ first away league loss of the campaign as it was their form on the road that had been their salvation.
After losing six home league games by late November, Latics had picked up more points on their travels than at SportsDirect.com Park.
But now there were away-day blues amid reports of problems off the field with claims players and staff are to be paid late for a third month this season.
It is a hugely depressing picture and fans are also becoming increasingly disgruntled making their views heard from the stands that was again the case at Crewe.
In years gone by, Latics have taken 1,500 plus fans to Gresty Road, but the following for their latest match was only 414. They are voting with their feet and staying away.
Manager David Dunn had threatened “wholesale changes” after the 5-2 home defeat by Southend United, but ended up making only two as Connor Brown replaced Richard Eckersley at right back in the continued absence of the injured Cameron Dummigan while Ricardo Fuller took over from Dominic Poloen.
Latics enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as central defenders James and Brian Wilson both had chances in the first 10 minutes.
Latics’ keeper David Cornell saved well from Billy Bingham as Crewe began to find their feet.
Liam Kelly had another chance for Latics, but it was Crewe who took the lead after 21 minutes when Semi Ajayi’s free kick was headed on by Ben Bugent for Adam King to apply the finishing touch at the far post.
On-loan Ryan Lowe had a chance to make it 2-0 just before the break, but Cornell had his shot covered.
Manager David Dunn brought on Jake Cassidy for the second half after the striker returned following a three month injury lay off with a broken leg.
Cassidy, who replaced Fuller, almost forced Crewe into an own goal as Ajayi was lucky to see his clearance fly narrowly wide of the upright.
Latics remained a threat as Kelly’s 25-yard drive was not far off target.
Crewe were dangerous on the counter attack as James Jones thundered a shot past the post.
New loan-signing Richie Wellens, returning after eight years, was introduced for Brown on the hour as Dunn switched to 3-5-2 in pursuit of an equaliser.
But it was Crewe that looked more like adding to their tally as Jones and Ryan Colclough were both denied by Cornell.
Poleon replaced Jay Fulton with 20 minutes left as Dunn went with three strikers, but fortune didn’t favour the brave, though Danny Philliskirk fired narrowly wide.
And Crewe had a great chance late on to win by a 2-0 margin as Colclough’s cross was put over the crossbar by substitute Ryan Wintle on another dismal day for Latics.