CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s lack of a cutting edge was evident as they lost at Charlton Athletic.
It extended Latics’ winless run to six games with manager Richie Wellens later declaring he needed two new strikers.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway was the chief culprit as he failed to convert two clear-cut chances in the second half to earn Latics a point or even better.
In the end Stephy Mavididi’s 27th minute goal for the Addicks was all that separated the teams.
Wellens made four changes to the side that lost at Shrewsbury on New Year’s Day as Brian Wilson took over from the departed Kean Bryan in defence while Paul Green, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Amadi-Holloway were also recalled.
Ryan Flynn, Jack Byrne and Tope Obadeyi were the other players to miss out.
Charlton could have taken an early lead when winger Ricky Holmes cut inside and fired from 30 yards but his fierce shot smashed against the crossbar.
Latics went close to a goal. After a good run from Ousmane Fane, the ball fell invitingly for Rob Hunt but his effort flew wide and not long after had a shot blocked.
Latics fell behind after 27 minutes as Mavididi fired Charlton ahead.
The forward took the ball past Dan Gardner and Cameron Dummigan before firing past Johny Placide.
Latics had good chances to equalise minutes later as Hunt curled an effort inches wide of the top corner, while Amadi-Holloway did not trouble for Latics’ loanee Ben Amos from 25 yards as he made a comfortable save.
Five minutes before the break, good work from Amadi-Holloway allowed Paul Green to strike from distance but again, Amos made the save.
It was a better start to the second half for Latics who showed a lot more attacking threat.
Amadi-Holloway almost got Athletic back on level terms five minutes into the half as he dispossessed Patrick Bauer in his own penalty area, but Amos saved his effort from eight yards.
Wellens introduced Obadeyi whose first involvement was a tame header which was easily saved by Amos, but minutes later, the winger raced at his defender and won a corner which forced a good spell of pressure from Latics.
While Holmes tested Placide at the other end, Latics forced a succession of corners and penned their opponents into their own half.
Hunt was forced off with a hamstring injury after 77 minutes as he was replaced by Mohamed Maouche.
Latics’ best chance to draw level came after 83 minutes as Dummigan’s cross found Amadi-Holloway in the penalty box, but his shot was saved by the legs of Amos.
From the resulting corner, Amadi-Holloway had a shot blocked and so did Obadeyi as Latics continued to throw everything at their hosts.
Charlton had the final chance of the game as substitute Johnnie Jackson headed goalwards but it was blocked on the line by Cameron Dummigan.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Wilson, Gerrard, Hunt (Maouche 80); Fane (Duffus 89), Gardner (Obadeyi 53), Green, Nepomuceno; Davies, Holloway. Subs (not used): Edmundson, Banks, Kyeremeh, Omrani.
Goals: Mavididi (27) for Charlton.
Attendance: 9,972 (399 visitors)