OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0
It was a measure of how far Oldham Athletic have come under new manager John Sheridan that they found a way to beat Charlton Athletic in a game they had no right to.
Latics recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season to move three points clear of the relegation places.
It was referred to as Latics finding a way to win through “sheer bloody mindedness” as they were second best for much of the match as the Addicks fought to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
Charlton had 16 goal attempts to Latics’ seven and the corner count was 16-4 in favour of the Addicks, an indication as to their dominance.
But a fourth-minute goal from recalled Ollie Banks was decisive as Latics somehow held on, mainly due the brilliance of keeper Connor Ripley.
Five wins from eight games for Sheridan has transformed Latics’ season as when he took over little over one month ago they looked certainties to be relegated.
Sheridan and Latics certainly seem the perfect fit as he looks set to pull off a second great escape in the space of 12 months having also inherited a team in dire straits last year.
John Sheridan made three changes to the side which beat Coventry City at the weekend as Paul Green, Lee Erwin and Banks came in for Ryan Flymm, Ousmane Fane and the injured Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Charlton coud have taken the lead after only 15 seconds when Josh Magennis beat the offside trap but blazed his shot over the crossbar with only Ripley to beat.
Latics took the lead after four minutes through Banks who curled a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, a strike worthy to win any game.
The visitors started to grow into the game with Magennis and Jonathan Botaka both going close midway through the half.
Magennis’ shot was blocked by Peter Clarke while Botaka’s cross was headed over the crossbar by Green.
Joe Aribo was the next to go close for the visitors but his effort went wide and two minutes later, Ezri Konsa headed over the crossbar.
Peter Clarke almost doubled Latics’ lead after 36 minutes after Banks’ corner found the top goalscorer in the penalty box but his header rebounded off the post and was cleared.
Ripley was tested five minutes before the break as Konsa’s header forced the goalkeeper to push his dangerous effort wide. From the resulting corner, Andrew Crofts glanced a header wide of the far post.
The visitors started the second half the stronger of the two sides and almost equalised within two minutes.
Jake Forster-Caskey’s corner found the head of Magennis but his effort flashed wide of Ripley’s near post.
Forster-Caskey then forced goalkeeper Ripley to tip the ball over his crossbar following his fierce strike from 25 yards.
Substitute Lee Novak glanced a header goalwards late into the game but Ripley tipped his effort wide. From the resulting corner, Ripley again was forced into action as he palmed Patrick Bauer’s effort over from 10 yards.
Novak took aim from 25 yards but again Ripley was behind the ball to save as the fourth official showed a nervy six minutes of additional time.
Latics’ substitute Michael Ngoo almost sealed victory, but fired over as Latics held on to their slender advantage for three more valuable points in their battle to beat the drop.
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt; Green, Banks (Fane 89); McLaughlin, O’Neill, Taylor; Erwin (Ngoo 78). Subs (not used): Law, Flynn, Croft, Osei, Obadeyi.
Goal: Banks (4) for Latics.
Attendance: 2,946 (204 visiting supporters)