FLEETWOOD TOWN 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic lifted spirits with a first win in 10 games following their deserved victory at Fleetwood Town in the Checkatrade Trophy.
And strikers Billy Mckay and Lee Erwin were on target with rare goals for Latics – Mckay’s first for the club and Erwin’s second.
While there was relief for the front pair, who had experienced a worrying drought, it was also important that Latics ended their miserable run in a game they dominated from start to finish to pick up a £10,000 winners’ cheque.
They passed the ball with confidence and energy throughout to go level on points at the top of group D with Fleetwood.
And it means the group won’t be decided until the final game when Latics play Blackburn Rovers U23s at Ewood Park while Fleetwood head for Carlisle.
Manager Stephen Robinson named a stronger starting line up than expected with eight of the side that started Saturday’s league game against MK Dons.
Brian Wilson, Carl Winchester and Lee Erwin received call ups as Cameron Dummigan, Ryan McLuaghin and loanee Freddie Ladapo dropped out.
Latics had chances to take the lead before making a breakthrough after 32 minutes.
Wilson, Mckay and Erwin all had chances, but each dragged shots wide.
Just after the half hour mark, however, Latics took the lead through a lovely finish from Mckay.
All the work, though, was done by Ryan Flynn who won the ball on the half-way line before racing 40 yards and laying a chance on a plate for Mckay who curled a shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The Northern Irish international almost made it two minutes later as he met a cross into the box from Wilson but struck the post from close range.
However, after 38 minutes, Latics made their pressure pay as they went two goals ahead.
And what a goal it was from Leeds loanee Erwin. The striker picked the ball out the air with his foot, cut inside on his right foot and hit a sumptuous drive into the bottom corner giving keeper Chris Neal no chance.
Winchester was at the heart of the action for Latics as he created a chance for Mckay before the break but also had his own chance, firing over from 18 yards after a good flowing move.
Latics started the second half much as they finished the first, dominating possession and creating chances.
The first chance of the second half came when Paul Green played the ball through to Flynn who laid it into the path of Erwin to strike, but it flew inches past the post.
Erwin had two further half chances, twice firing wide of Neal’s goal from outside the box.
They were denied by the frame of the goal for a second time when Cameron Burgess’ header struck an upright.
Winchester headed over, Burgess had an effort cleared of the line and Flynn forced a fine save from Neal as it was one-way traffic.
Robinson made three changes bringing on Lee Croft, Ollie Banks and Ladapo in place of goalscorer Mckay, Green and Winchester as they comfortably saw out the game.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Burgess, Reckord; Winchester (Croft 73), Green (Banks 73), Flynn, Erwin, Mckay (Ladapo 77). Subs (not used): Kettings, Law, Klok, Osei.
Goals: Mckay 32, Erwin 38)
Attendance: 793