OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, OXFORD UNITED 2
It was far from the start Oldham Athletic craved for as they lost at home to Oxford United in their opening game of their Sky Bet League One campaign.
The failings from last season resurfaced as Latics, despite bringing in three new strikers, again lacked firepower.
And the U’s punished Latics for defensive lapses as goals from Wes Thomas and Josh Ruffels earned them their first-ever victory on the ground.
After a summer of relative calm at SportsDirect.com Park, manager John Sheridan only handed debuts to three new players, goalkeeper Ben Wilson, left-back Rob Hunt and striker Craig Davies.
Wilson made a decent save low at his near post to deny Thomas after 17 minutes following a low-key opening.
The visitors went down to 10 men temporarily on the half hour when Mike Williamson was forced to have stitches inserted in a head wound.
A chance fell to Davies but his volley was well saved by keeper Simon Eastwood.
Oxford United took the lead six minutes before the break in controversial circumstances.
A ball over the top found Thomas, who many believed had ran from an offside position, but play continued and he slotted a low shot past Wilson.
The visitors had the momentum and they almost made it 2-0 on two occasions when Thomas and Ryan Ledson were both denied by Wilson.
Oxford remained a threat at the start of the second half and Wilson was forced to pull off a super save to deny Jack Payne from close range.
Latics were almost level after Davies cut in from the left and fired a fierce shot that went just past the far post.
Ledson had another chance to make it 2-0, but fired over the crossbar.
Substitute Tope Obadeyi should have done better with 20 minutes left when he received the ball at the far post, but sliced his shot wide.
The visitors doubled their lead moments later, however, as Ruffels created space in the penalty area and poked a shot beyond Wilson.
Latics continued to struggle to create openings while Oxford could have increased their margin of victory, but for the busy Wilson.
Jonathan Obika wriggled free to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the closing minutes of the game but Wilson saved with his feet.
Oldham Athletic (4-1-2-1-2): Wilson, Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt: Banks (Flynn 75); Green (Obadeyi 59), Fane; McLaughlin; Amadi-Holloway, Davies (Duffus 75). Subs (not used): Dummigan, Edmundson, Stott, Fawns.
Goals: Thomas (39), Ruffels (71) for Oxford.
Attendance: 4,874 (1,067 visitors)