OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, MILLWALL 2
Oldham Athletic’s woes continued after they suffered an eighth home league defeat of the campaign as Millwall became the latest victors at SportsDirect.com Park.
And it left Latics cast five points from safety in Sky Bet League One with four of their next five league fixtures away from home.
These are challenging times for Latics and for rookie manager David Dunn was speculation intensified over the weekend as to his future – he has managed only two wins in 17 games in charge.
And their wretched home form – only seven of their 21 points have been picked up at SportsDirect.com Park is responsible for becoming embroiled in a battle against relegation.
Dunn pleaded to be given time to turn things round arguing that the 12 drawn league games have been a killer. Had Latics managed to win just half of them, the extra 12 points would have propelled them to lower mid-table.
Yet it was an encouraging display from Latics against the play-off chasing Lions if you exclude the opening and dying minutes of the match.
Striker Lee Gregory gave Millwall the lead after only 81 seconds, Mike Jones put Latics on level terms after an hour while Steve Morison came up with the late winner for the Londoners.
Dunn made four changes to his side as Joel Coleman was recalled in goal, returning loanee Daniel Lafferty played left back, Carl Winchester won a place in midfield and Dominic Poloen on the left.
The players to miss out were goalkeeper David Cornell, left-back Joseph Mills, midfielder Richie Wellens whose loan had expired, and Danny Philliskirk who had been sold to Blackpool earlier in the week.
Latics could not have made a worse start falling behind after only 81 seconds when Gregory opened the scoring. Coleman did well to keep out Shane Ferguson’s initial effort, but the rebound fell to Gregory who fired home from close range.
But they rallied well and were arguably the better of the two teams in the opening period as they created some good openings, notably Winchester who had a shot well saved by keeper David Forde
But midway through the half, Millwall would have doubled their lead but for a fabulous double save to deny Gregory and Mark Beevers.
Latics had chances to equalise in quick succession when Jake Cassidy’s spectacular overhead kick flew wide as did a deflected shot from Rhys Murphy.
Then just before the break, Liam Kelly shot narrowly wide from 35 yards and Timothee Dieng’s header drifted just past the upright.
Latics were almost caught cold again at the start of the second period when Shane Ferguson struck the post with a drive from the edge of the box.
But the equaliser came just short of the hour when Jones, fouled on the edge of the box, picked himself up and curled an exquisite free kick over the defensive wall to give Forde no chance.
The momentum was now with Latics as Jones and Kelly both went close.
Midway through the half Jonathan Forte, out since early September with a broken leg, made his comeback replacing Poleon on the left.
And he made a difference with his probing raids down the left.
Latics had the bit between their teeth as they had a shout for a penalty rejected after Jones went down while Murphy had strayed offside before scoring.
There looked only one winner, and that was not Millwall, the team that snatched an 85th minute winner.
Ferguson cross eluded Latics’ defence and Morison stole in to head home at the far post in what was a smash and grab of the three points.