OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, BARNSLEY 2
Lee Johnson inflicted more home pain on Latics as he made a second winning return to SportsDirect.com Park.
Latics’ former manager masterminded Barnsley’s 2-1 win that followed on from a 3-1 victory in March.
This was a massively important win for Johnson whose job was on the line after a run of eight straight league defeats left his team in the relegation places and him clinging on to his job.
It was another massively disappointing day for Latics as this was their fifth home league loss of the campaign, and it is still only November.
And it is their woeful record on their home patch that is responsible for them being involved in a scrap against relegation as they are 18th in the table and only two point clear of the bottom four.
Conor Hourihane gave Barnsley a first-half lead, Mark Yeates drew Latics level only for defender Kevin Long to come up with a last-minute winner for the visitors.
Manager David Dunn made two changes as Cameron Dummigan returned from international duty at right back while Giorgio Rasulo, another loanee, was rewarded with his first start after three impressive cameos as a substitute.
The players to lose out were Richard Eckersley and Michael Higdon.
Barnsley didn’t look like a side on their uppers as they made a bright start with Hourihane’s set plays causing Latics problems.
And they had the first clear-cut chance of the match when Adam Hammill’s shot was well turned round the post by keeper Joel Coleman.
Barnsley ought to have taken the lead when Marley Watkins found himself clean through on goal after 20 minutes, but Dummigan saved the day with a goalline clearance.
It was no surprise, therefore, when Barnsley took the lead after half an hour when Hourihane’s shot from the edge of the box flew into the top corner aided by a deflection as Coleman had no chance of keeping it out.
Latics had a strong shout for a penalty rejected after Yeates looked to be fouled.
Barnsley could have finished the half 2-0 ahead after Watkins’ initial shot was blocked and Hammill’s follow-up was cleared by Dummigan who was again in the right place at the right time.
Yet Latics could have gone off all square after former Latics’ loanee Aidy White almost put through his own goal with a lofted back pass that sailed over the head of keeper Adam Davies, but it went the wrong side of the upright for Dunn’s men.
Latics brought on Jay Fulton for Timothee Dieng at the break and the made a bright start to the second period.
Yet Barnsley almost increased their lead following a three on one break only for Dummigan to again save the day.
And the visitors had another great chance after an hour when Toney’s header crashed against the crossbar.
Higdon replaced Rasulo midway through the second half as they needed new attacking ideas if they were to conjure an equaliser.
Latics continued to press and were rewarded with an equaliser 12 minutes from time.
Yeates played a return pass with Dominic Poleon and slotted the ball low past Davies.
Latics suddenly scented victory as the impressive Dummigan curled a shot inches wide of the upright.
Yet it was Barnsley that snatched victory in the last minute after Latics failed to clear a free kick and defender Long smashed home a shot from six yards.
Poleon and Yeates both forced saves from Davies in stoppage time, but it was Johnson who left Oldham with the broadest smile after a vital victory for his side.