GRIMSBY TOWN 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3
Oldham Athletic came good in the last half hour as they won at Grimsby Town to move back into the Sky Bet League Two play-off spots.
Sam Surridge scored twice is as many minutes, to make it five in six games for Latics, while Jose Baxter’s first goal since re-signing for the club was enough to seal victory.
The finish was far removed to the dour, opening hour which was described as not being a pretty affair.
Latics had loanee Daniel Iversen back in goal, and Callum Lang preferred to Gevaro Nepomuceno who was back from international duty.
The first chance from Latics fell to Surridge whose effort was blocked and Dan Gardner, following up, fired over the bar.
The hosts probably should have taken the lead after George Edmundson was pushed off the ball, but the referee waved play on.
The ball was worked nicely into the box with Elliot Embleton finding himself clean through on goal, but Iversen spread himself well to block the shot.
Latics had another chance when Chris O’Grady crossed from the left to Callum Lang, but the on-loan Wigan Athletic man couldn’t guide his header on target.
Surridge then tested Mariners’ goalkeeper James McKeown with a low shot as he pushed it away for a corner.
As half time approached Andy Taylor played a long ball into the path of O’Grady and the striker bent an effort just past the post.
However, the second half was a completely different game as Surridge and McKeown were having their own personal battle.
Twice Surridge found himself free inside the Grimsby penalty area, but twice McKeown denied the 20-year-old AFC Bournemouth striker.
It would be Surridge who would have the last laugh though as he netted his fourth and fifth goal of the season in a decisive two-minute spell.
O’Grady released Surridge who drove forward and slid a shot brilliantly into the net.
The same combination worked minutes later as Surridge got himself into the box, seeing his initial shot blocked before poking it past McKeown.
Latics were assured in defending their lead, but Iversen had to be on his toes when Martyn Woolford’s drive was tipped over brilliantly by the Dane.
Baxter, who came on for O’Grady with 12 minutes left, wrapped up the points as the game entered stoppage time.
Fellow substitute Ishmael Miller held the ball up for Gardner who got down the right-hand side before crossing into an unmarked Baxter who headed into an empty net.
There was still time for Iversen to deny JJ Hooper with a save diving low to his left to ensure they preserved a clean sheet.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Branger-Engone, Gardner, Missilou, Lang (Nepomuceno 61); O’Grady (Baxter 78), Surridge (Miller 83). Subs (not used): de la Paz, Hamer, Graham, Maouche.
The goals: Surridge (63,65) and Baxter (90) for Latics.
Attendance: 4746 (832 visitors).