OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, CRAWLEY TOWN 1
A last-minute goal from substitute Sam Surridge earned Oldham Athletic victory against Crawley Town at Boundary Park and lifted them into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places.
The win extended Latics’ unbeaten run in the league to five games that have yielded 11 points to more than erase the disappointment of their opening-day loss at home to Milton Keynes Dons.
It was another nervous afternoon for Latics who took the lead through Gevaro Nepomuceno before Dannie Bulman equalised.
Latics were once again indebted to Leicester loanee keeper Daniel Iversen who made a penalty save to prevent the visitors taking the lead.
Crawley arrived after a week of turmoil in which manager Harry Kewell had left to take over at Notts County with senior players Filipe Morais, ex Latics, and Jimmy Smith put in temporary charge.
Latics made the perfect start as Nepomuceno got his second goal in as many games after some good play with Rob Hunt.
Nepomuceno initially played it out wide on the left to Hunt to which he returned with a dangerous cross and the Curacao international tapped home past Glenn Morris in the Crawley goal.
The winger almost grabbed his second after a fantastic driving run from Johan Branger-Engone ended up in Jose Baxter’s path who, in turn, found Nepomuceno, but he couldn’t hit the target.
Crawley found themselves level midway through the half as Ollie Palmer forced Iversen into a smart stop, but he could only parry into Bulman who slotted in the equaliser.
Iversen redeemed himself later in the half as Ashley Nathaniel-George went down under a challenge from Sam Graham on the edge of the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
The Danish U21 International stood tall and saved Palmer’s penalty low to his left to take the teams into half time on level terms.
Manager Frank Bunn introduced Sam Surridge and Callum Lang during the second half and the latter almost opened his Latics’ account.
Another fantastic cross from Hunt was met by the head of the Wigan loanee but Morris got down well to save.
Latics were searching for the winner and Lang did have the ball in the back of the net, but the assistant referee ruled it out for offside.
Then came the moment which secured the three points as Latics kept the ball alive from the corner.
It eventually found its way to George Edmundson whose cross was converted by Surridge in off defender Mark Connolly, but the striker will claim it.
Latics had to soak up some late pressure, but the defence marshalled by Edmundson and captain Peter Clarke stood firm.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): Iversen; Graham (Hamer 79), Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Branger-Engone, Missilou (Surridge 58), Gardner, Nepomuceno; Baxter; O’Grady (Lang 66). Subs (not used): de la Paz, Benteke, Maouche, Stott.
Attendance: 4,160 (68 visitors).