SOUTHEND UNITED 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0.
It was a game that didn’t follow the expected script as relegation-threatened Oldham Athletic crashed to what could turn out to be a costly defeat top-six side Southend United.
When the Shrimpers had Ryan Leonard sent off with the game goalless 20 minutes from time, it looked as though the game would tilt the way of Latics.
How mistaken they were as the 10-men from Essex scored three times to strengthen their hold on a play-off place as Latics were left stunned.
Nile Ranger, former Lincoln City FA Cup hero Theo Robinson and an Anthony Wordsworth penalty inflicted a painful defeat on Latics.
Manager John Sheridan made one change to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield United last weekend as Ryan McLaughlin replaced the injured Brian Wilson at right back.
Latics’ Connor Ripley who was the first goalkeeper to be called into action after 10 minutes to keep out a Ranger header.
Tope Obadeyi had a shot saved by Christian Walton and Lee Erwin volleyed over as Latics began to take control.
Latics continued to pile forward and winger Chris Taylor almost gave Sheridan’s men the lead midway through the half when he bent a shot that flashed past the upright.
Paul Green went close minutes later and Obadeyi volleyed wide with Latics well on top.
Southend were restricted to shots from distance. Stephen McLaughlin cut inside from the right on the half hour mark but fired wide of Ripley’s goal.
Josh Law almost broke the deadlock. He received the ball 30 yards from goal and fired towards the far post but it went inches wide of Walton’s goal.
Southend almost took the lead minutes after the interval as Ben Coker drove an effort past Ripley’s far post from the right hand side.
Dean Cox had a great opportunity to give the Shrimpers the lead minutes, but he ballooned his volley out of the ground.
Southend were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes following Leonard’s reckless challenge on Fane.
However, it would be the home side who reacted positively as they took the lead five minutes later through Ranger.
Robinson held the ball up in the penalty area, crossed and Ranger was unmarked to stab home to a close-range shot to break the deadlock.
The momentum was with the home side and they doubled their lead three minutes later through Robinson who headed home a free kick.
Latics continued to pile forward in a bid to get something from the game as Lee Erwin and Ollie Banks both had efforts on goal, but they did not trouble Walton.
In the final minute of six of added time, the referee awarded Southend United a spot kick after Peter Clarke was adjudged to have fouled Jermaine McGlashen.
Wordsworth stepped up and sent Ripley the wrong way to win the game for the home side to seal Latics’ fate.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; McLaughlin, Clarke, Gerrard, Law; Green, Fane, Banks, Taylor; Erwin, Obadeyi. Subs (not used): Kettings, O’Neill, Flynn, Croft, Ngoo, Edmundson, Mantack.
Goals: Ranger (75), Robinson (78), Wordsworth (90+6) for Southend.
Attendance: 7,617 (285 visitors).