OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, DERBY COUNTY 2
There was no Carabao Cup giantkilling as Oldham Athletic were beaten by Championship club Derby County at Boundary Park.
But it was a case of what might have been as Latics’ manager Frank Bunn rued a number of missed chances that might, had they been converted, given a different outcome.
In the end former England star Frank Lampard guided the Rams to victory through goals from Chelsea loanees Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount, though some credited Tomori’s effort as a Sam Graham own goal.
Bunn made only one change from the side that drew at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday as Christian Benteke replaced Chris Missilou as he went 4-4-2 at home as opposed to 4-4-1-1 on their travels.
The visitors, as expected, kept possession well to try and dominate the ball at Boundary Park.
Derby worked the first opening of the game when Scott Malone delivered a cross into Jack Marriott, but the striker didn’t know much about it and headed wide.
Latics then created an opportunity of their own as a Gevaro Nepomuceno cross was met by the head of Chris O’Grady but it was straight at keeper Scott Carson.
Derby countered and Saturday’s hero Daniel Iversen was called into action stopping smartly to deny Marriott down low to his right.
A minute later Iversen again had to be on form as neat football from the Rams presented an opportunity to the on-rushing Bradley Johnson, but he hit his shot straight at Iverson who managed to keep hold of the ball in his hands.
Latics were almost in front when Tomori misjudged a bouncing ball allowing Benteke to nip in, but Carson was quick off his line to deny the forward.
Derby took the lead in the 36th minute after referee Darren Bond judged that George Edmundson dragged Mount down, despite it looking a soft foul.
Derby capitalised and Harry Wilson’s cross was headed home by Tomori, though it went in off Graham.
Mount nearly doubled the lead when he was played in, inside the penalty area, but his right-footed effort curled wide of Iversen’s post.
Latics attempted to get back into the game as manager Bunn introduced Jose Baxter early in the second period.
However, Lampards’ side should have doubled the lead when Wilson was sent through on his own, only to curl his effort wide.
Carson was then called into action when he saved superbly to deny Johan Branger-Engone’s dipping shot.
That save proved to be vital as Mount doubled Derby’s lead with 20 minutes left when he smashed home a shot past Iversen, even though it fell fortunately to the youngster.
Baxter nearly made things interesting after he hit the crossbar before Josefzoon had a goal ruled out after the referee had seen a foul on Rob Hunt.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hamer, Graham, Edmundson, Hunt; Branger-Engone, Coke (Missilou 77), Gardner, Nepomuceno; Benteke (Baxter 57), O’Grady. Subs (not used): de la Paz, Stott, Maouche, Sheridan
Attendance: 3,376 (1,028 Away)