OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, MILTON KEYNES DONS 0
Anthony Gerrard was Oldham Athletic’s captain fantastic as he was their matchwinner in the Sky Bet League One relegation scrap at home to Milton Keynes Dons.
The central defender’s first-half header from Ben Pringle’s corner was all that separated the teams in a hugely important game for both these struggling sides.
The significance of the victory, though, was that it lifted Latics out of the bottom four and plunged Dons deeper into the mire at the foot of the table.
Latics have suddenly built momentum with seven points from a possible nine and it was also a significant first clean sheet for keeper Johny Placide since the end of November.
Manager Richie Wellens made one enforced change to his side which drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Wilfried Moimbe served his one-game suspension with Gevaro Nepomuceno coming in at full back.
Dons who had the first effort of the game as Chuks Aneke forced Placide to parry his shot.
Minutes later Robbie Muirhead curled a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards as the visitors started positively.
However, they were dealt a blow after 14 minutes as Aneke was forced off with a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Kieran Agard.
Latics had to be wary once again as Placide misjudged a cross into the box. It went over his head but Scott Wootton could not convert at the back post.
Latics came into the game and created three chances in quick succession through Kean Bryan, Jack Bryne and Craig Davies, but none could beat keeper Lee Nicholls.
Latics had the ball in the back of the net after 20 minutes as Byrne found Bryan with an inch-perfect free kick and he headed home but the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.
Gerrard was forced to put in a last-ditch challenge midway through the half as Ike Ugbo looked to shoot but the defender cleared the danger.
Latics made the important breakthrough after 40 minutes through a Gerrard header from Pringle’s inswinging corner.
Latics had two chances straight after the break to extend their lead. Byrne found Duckens Nazon over the top, he ran at the defence but his shot landed on the roof of the goal.
From the resulting corner, the ball bounced around the box before sitting up nicely for Dan Gardner who fired wide.
The game needed a lift and both sides made changes as Marcus Tavernier came on for the visitors and Aaron Amadi-Holloway for Latics.
Wellens introduced Tope Obadeyi and Ryan McLaughlin and it started to become a nervy ending.
However, Latics remained disciplined and limited their opponents to no efforts on goal and Latics held out for a deserved three points.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard, Bryan, Nepomuceno; Fane, Gardner, Pringle (McLaughlin 81), Byrne (Obadeyi 74); Davies, Nazon (Amadi-Holloway 67). Subs (not used): De La Paz, Edmundson, Benyu, Benteke.
Goal: Gerrard (40) for Latics.
Attendance: 3,381 (119 visitors).