OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, OXFORD UNITED 1
Striker Lee Erwin celebrated his first-team recall by scoring both goals that gave Oldham Athletic a massive home victory in their pursuit of Sky Bet League One survival.
The on-loan Leeds United front man, who has had a largely disappointing season, helped Latics move five points clear of the relegation places and dent Oxford United’s already slim hopes of making the promotion play offs.
Erwin put Latics in front late in the opening half and came up with the important winner, another header, 20 minutes from the end after Chris Maguire had equalised with a penalty.
Incredibly, of the seven goals scored by Erwin in the current campaign, only one has been netted on a Saturday as he produced his best performances in midweek matches.
After the home draw against Bury three days earlier, manager John Sheridan made three changes.
Brian Wilson and Rob Hunt returned to the defence while Erwin landed a rare start as Jamie Reckford, Aiden O’Neill and Tope Obadeyi lost out.
Latics could have established an early two-goal lead as Chris Taylor was denied by goalkeeper Simon Eastwood while captain Peter Clarke also had an opening.
It was proving an open game as U’s hit back as Maguire fired a free kick over, Conor McAleny had a shot saved by Connor Ripley, Kane Hemmings failed to hit the target from five yards and Maguire’s free kick cleared the crossbar.
U’s keeper Eastwood was also alert to deny Ryan McLaughlin and Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Amadi-Holloway provided the assist for Latics’ opening goal after 36 minutes as he struck the crossbar with Erwin on hand to head home the rebound.
Latics were hit by a blow five minutes before the break as Hunt limped off with a recurrence of a hamstring injury as he was replaced by Josh Law.
Ollie Banks had an effort before the end of the half which was deflected wide as Latics went into the half time interval 1-0 ahead.
The visitors started the second half the better as Maguire volleyed over from 25 yards while McAleny had a chance.
Minutes later Holloway struck over the crossbar, but the Us won a penalty on the hour mark as Ripley was adjudged to have brought down Maguire.
The striker stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to equalise for the U’s.
Latics responded well as Law curled past the post from 25 yards while Taylor headed over at the back post.
They regained the lead after 70 minutes as Erwin headed his second of the game from a deep cross by McLaughlin.
That goal came at a good time for Latics but it made for a nervy last 20 minutes, though Erwin would have completed his hat trick but for a good save by Eastwood.
For the U’s, John Lundstrum struck the ball over the crossbar from 30 yards while Maguire’s free kick minutes later was deflected wide for a corner, though they were rarely troubled in the latter stages.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt (Law 41); McLaughlin, Green, Banks, Taylor (Fane 90+3); Erwin (Obadeyi 79), Holloway. Subs (not used): O’Neill, Flynn, Ngoo, Osei.
Goals: Erwin (36‚ 70) for Latics. Maguire (60pen) for Oxford.
Attendance: 3,124 (383 visitors)