OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2
It was the dawn of a new era, but a losing start for new Oldham Athletic owner Abdullah Lemsagam as Plymouth Argyle triumphed at SportsDirect.com Park.
And the pressure continued to mount on manager Richie Wellens as the team is still looking for its first League One win of 2018.
Latics have failed to win in nine league games that have yielded three points as they have tumbled from 15th place to back into the bottom four and four points adrift of safety.
The damage was done in the latest setback through two first-half goals in quick succession from Antoni Sarcevic and Ruben Lameiras.
And though Latics pulled a goal back through when Yann Songo’o found his own net, they were unable to conjure an equaliser.
Manager Richie Wellens made five changes following Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
They included Anthony Gerrard who came back into the side following a thigh injury.
Gerrard claimed a penalty after four minutes, claiming he had been pulled back into the box.
It was a scrappy opening but the visitors took the lead after 17 minutes through Sarcevic.
A long diagonal ball was headed on by Ryan Taylor into the path of the midfielder who volleyed home to put Plymouth in front.
They doubled that lead two minutes later as Lameiras fired in the rebound after a Graham Carey effort was saved by keeper Johny Placide.
Latics were reeling and that forced Wellens to make an early change as Ousmane Fane was brought off for Duckens Nazon who made his debut.
The striker made an immediate impact as he turned his man in the penalty area but his effort was saved.
Soon after, Wolves loanee Nazon was almost presented with a great chance from a Davies free kick. After his set piece was blocked, the ball deflected into the path of Nazon but he could not apply the finish.
Nazon was right in the thick of the action again after 37 minutes with Latics’ best chance of the half.
Ben Pringle fed through the striker who crossed to Davies in the centre but he slid the ball wide with keeper Remi Matthews beaten.
Latics continued to take the game to their visitors with Pringle and Jack Byrne both going close but after 42 minutes Matthews pulled off a great save to ensure Athletic did not find a way back into the game.
Byrne crossed into the box, it found Davies in the middle of the goal but Matthews managed to tip the ball over the bar as it remained 2-0 to the visitors.
Latics needed a response after the break, but were almost further behind on 50 minutes.
Graham Carey’s free kick from 25 yards was a good one but went the wrong side of the post.
However, they were back in the game on 54 minutes as Davies’ deflected strike found the bottom corner.
Whether it was a cross or a shot, only Davies will know but he received the ball in the box and Songo’o’s outstretched leg saw the ball deflect into the bottom corner.
Latics had the momentum and almost had the leveller on the hour. Pringle’s corner found the head of Kean Bryan but the defender’s effort was cleared off the line.
They had half chances to get back into the game as Pringle, Byrne and Gerrard struck goalwards but were all dealt with.
The visitors had a great chance to make it 3-0 after 70 minutes but striker Taylor headed wide from inside the penalty area.
With time running out, Latics continued to go in search of the leveller but were met by a stubborn Plymouth defence.
Byrne curled an effort over the crossbar with two minutes remaining as Latics finished empty handed.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): Placide; Dummigan, Bryan, Gerrard, Nepomuceno; Fane (Nazon 26), Pringle, McLaughlin (Amadi-Holloway 77), Gardner; Byrne; Davies. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Hamer, Benyu, Obadeyi, Duffus.
Goals: Davies (54) for Oldham. Sarcevic (17), Lameiras (19) for Plymouth.
Attendance: 4,274 (588 visitors)