SOUTHEND UNITED 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic took another important step towards Sky Bet League One survival following a big win at Southend United.
Loanee Curtis Main was Latics’ matchwinner as they maintained their impressive recent record at Roots Hall.
In their last five visits, Latics have won four times and drawn the other with the latest success putting them six points clear of the relegation places with three games left.
It was also a case of fortune favouring the brave as manager John Sheridan handing a debut to teenager George Edmundson who started the game at centre of defence in a 3-5-2 formation.
Edmundson, who showed a remarkable maturity and composure for a rookie, lined up alongside Anthony Gerrard and Brian Wilson at centre back while Cameron Dummigan and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis were wing backs.
Latics began on the front foot and could have taken the lead after only 80 seconds when Jonathan Forte hit the post with a shot from just inside the penalty area.
And not long after Holmes-Dennis went close as a drive flew the wrong side of the upright.
Goalkeeper Joel Coleman was forced into a punch as Stephan McLaughlin’s shot was heading for the top corner after 16 minutes and from the resulting corner Tyrone Barnett headed onto the roof of the goal from six yards out.
Midway though the half Holmes-Dennis again went close as he volleyed over the bar from 18 yards out and minutes later, Forte forced a smart save from keeper Daniel Bentley.
Southend grew into the game and could have taken the lead before the half hour mark through former Latics’ loanee David Worrall who fired over the bar.
The winger had another chance three minutes later as he again went through one-on-one with Coleman but it was the goalkeeper that came out the better again.
The home side were taking the game to Latics and Edmundson was forced into a last ditch tackle to deny Barnett from six yards.
Latics had to stay alert as from the resulting corner, Cameron Dummigan’s outstretched leg clearing Barnett’s header off the goalline.
Southend were causing problems for Latics as central defender Adam Barrett had his header saved by Coleman from 10 yards out.
Shrimpers’ leading goalscorer Jack Payne had his first goal attempt in the final five minutes of the half but Coleman held his shot from 20 yards.
The visitors started the second half the stronger as Dummigan had to block a Payne effort from the edge of the box and minutes later, Payne’s shot was deflected goalwards by Ryan Leonard but fortunately for Latics it went the wrong side of the post.
Latics should have taken the lead after an hour when Jonathan Forte raced through on goal, but Bentley saved his low drive when the striker ought to have released the ball as two team-mates were free to his left.
The effort might have come back to haunt Latics but five minutes later, they took the lead through a well-worked goal. Timothee Dieng won possession in midfield, laid the ball into the path of Forte and he picked out Main who confidently place past Bentley.
That goal settled Latics and they started playing with huge confidence, knocking the ball around well and Main had a chance to double the lead but could not convert Dummigan’s cross.
Sheridan introduced Jake Cassidy for the final five minutes and the striker almost made an immediate impact. He provided the cross for Lee Croft who stabbed the ball inches past the post as Latics pushed for the goal to seal victory.
Cassidy was presented with two golden chances in the final minute of the game as he rounded the goalkeeper but was crowded out, and raced through one-on-one with Bentley but was denied by defender Leonard who dispossessed him.