WIGAN ATHLETIC 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s relegation worries deepened following a heavy defeat at high-flying Wigan Athletic.
It had been a miserable 24 hours after Milton Keynes Dons’ win at Gilingham dumped Latics back into the bottom four.
And Latics failed in their bid to claw their way out of the drop zone as Wigan went top of the table.
Goals from Will Grigg – he was on fire until he was hurt – James Vaughan and Nick Powell condemned Latics to defeat.
And Richie Wellens’ side will need a quick pick-me-up before Monday’s home game against Blackpool having lost their last two matches.
Wellens said: “This is not a game that will determine whether we stay up – it will be the likes of Wimbledon, Southend and Doncaster that will determine that.
“We have a quick turn around and have to go again on Monday and be positive. We have players with talent and ability, but we need them to be resolute and keep their nerve.”
Wellens believes his side needs four wins from its last nine games to guarantee survival.
Rob Hunt replaced the injure Cameron Dummigan at right back while Brian Wilson continued at centre back in place of the injured Anthony Gerrard.
Goalkeeper Johny Placide was Latics’ early hero making two important early save to turn a Powell shot round the post for a corner and then another to thwart Powell for a second time. The rebound fell to Will Grigg who fired disappointingly wide.
Apart from those two chances, Latics were hardly troubled, though Ben Pringle and Dan Gardner were both booked for fouls.
Latics’ best first-half chance after 36 minutes fell to Eoin Doyle who burst through on goal only to be thwarted by a fabulous last-gasp tackle from Dan Burn.
Powell remained the main threat to Latics and a fierce shot was beaten to safety by Placide who also comfortably saved from Michael Jacobs.
The breakthrough came four minutes before the break with Powell this time providing the assist.
He threaded an inch-perfect pass to Griggs who beat Brian Wilson and Placide to the ball rolling it into an empty net for his 19th goal of the season.
Grigg, clattered scoring the goal, didn’t reappear for the second period as he was replaced by James Vaughan.
And Vaughan made an immediate impact making it 2-0 within four minutes of making his entrance following a calamitous error from Kean Bryan.
The defender’s back pass was intercepted by Vaughan who rounded Placide to score from close range, only his second goal of the campaign.
Wellens’ response was to bring on Patrick McEleney for Pringle to provide more of a cutting edge. Ad a second changes soon followed as Craig Davies was replaced by Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Powell was rewarded for his efforts by making it 3-0 midway through the half, cutting inside from the left and powering home an unstoppable shot.
Latics’ last change saw former Wigan player Jack Byrne replaced by Ryan McLaughln.
Latics claimed a penalty when Doyle claimed his shirt was pulled. He was booked for over-zealous protests.
Wigan might have added a fourth goal late on when Placide did well to keep out a fierce shot from Michael Jacobs.