SHREWSBURY TOWN 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0.
It just had to be former Oldham Athletic loan striker Freddie Ladapo who inflicted defeat in the Sky Bet League One basement battle at Shrewsbury Town.
Ladapo, who struggled to find the net during his half season at SportsDirect.com Park, struck the only goal of the game in what was a six-pointer.
The Crystal Palace striker only joined the Shrews recently but two goals in two appearances – both in 1-0 victories – lifted them out of the bottom four.
And the loss left Latics six points shy of the Shrews whereas a win would have put them on the same number of points.
Manager John Sheridan must also have been left to ponder whether it was wise to change a winning side after the home victory against Gillingham in his first game.
Sheridan gave debuts to two of his new signings with Anthony Gerrard returning for his third spell with the club against his former side and Michael Ngoo leading the line in a 4-4-2 formation.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway, the third new arrival, was named on the bench.
Joe Riley and Shaun Whalley had early chances for the Shrews before Latics began to inch their way into the game.
Ryan Flynn had a couple of shots blocked while Brian Wilson fired narrowly wide.
Josh Law, who netted the only goal of the game against Gillingham last week, struck a free kick over the crossbar just before the half hour mark.
Shrews thought they had taken the lead after 31 minutes as Ladapo found the net only for his close-range effort to be ruled out for offside.
And they finished the opening period on top as Gary Deegan and Whalley both fired over as half time probably came at a good time for Latics.
Straight after the break, Ngoo had a great chance to give Latics the lead but, stretching, he just failed to meet Wilson’s cross.
It was worrying signs soon after as Cameron Dummigan had to be carried from the field on a stretcher with a serious hamstring injury. Ollie Banks was brought into the action to replace the full back, and Amadi-Holloway took over from Ngoo.
The breakthrough came after 68 minutes when the home side took the lead through Ladapo who headed home from three yards after a cross was not cleared.
Latics failed to muster a chance to get back on level terms in the remainder of the game as Shrews claimed three valuable points in their bid to beat the drop while Sheridan’s side was left six points adrift of safety.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley, Dummigan (Banks 58), Gerrard, Clarke, Wilson; McLaughlin, Fane, Law, Flynn; Mckay (Erwin 71), Ngoo (Holloway 57). Subs (not used): Kettings, Reckord, Edmundson, Green.
Goal: Ladapo (68) for Shrewsbury.
Attendance: 5,537 (739 visitors)