OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, PORT VALE 1
With top scorer Sam Surridge ruled out through a new hamstring injury, Oldham Athletic lacked a cutting edge as they crashed to a third home defeat in Sky Bet League Two.
Port Vale, beaten 6-2 at home by leaders Lincoln City the previous week, showed great resilience in overcoming that adversity after a run of three straight defeats.
Tom Pope’s first-half penalty settled the game with manager Frank Bunn critical of his captain for needlessly conceding the decisive spot kick as his side’s miserable home form continued.
Latics had been hoping to build on their 4-1 win in midweek at Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy in what many had viewed as a home banker due to the Valiants’ poor run of form.
In the absence of nine-goal Surridge, who scored twice in that triumph, and also fellow forward Ishmael Miller, Latics lacked firepower as they slipped into the bottom half of the table.
Latics almost made the perfect start as Rob Hunt got down the left and put in a dangerous cross which was just inches away from Callum Lang who was sliding in.
The visitors had an opportunity to score as Leon Legge’s long throw wasn’t dealt with and Nathan Smith forced Daniel Iversen into a fine save as the Danish goalkeeper tipped the effort onto the crossbar.
Lang then cut inside from the left and fired narrowly over before Tom Conlon curled a free kick wide for Port Vale.
Moments later Dan Gardner almost set Boundary Park alight after the ball sat up nicely for a sweetly struck volley from 30 yards, but keeper Scott Brown was able to push the effort away.
The Valiants took the lead through a controversial penalty as Clarke seemed to step across Luke Hannant to shield the ball out of play and referee Peter Wright pointed to the spot to the amazement of home fans.
Pope stepped up and converted the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner, giving Iversen no chance.
Gardner fired another shot wide until a controversial moment occurred as the game approached half time.
Jose Baxter sent Lang through on goal and he was taken out by Mitchell Clark inside the penalty area, but Mr Wright waved away the claims.
Latics were almost level minutes into the second half as substitute Gevaro Nepomuceno, who replaced Johan Branger-Engone at the break, put in a corner which was diverted onto his own crossbar by Connell Rawlinson.
Latics kept the ball alive and Gardner drove an effort just over the bar.
The visitors were well organised at the back as Latics were restricted to efforts from distance and Baxter sliced one of them wide.
Nepomuceno got down the left and crossed in to Clarke, but he shot narrowly wide.
Latics had another penalty shout from a Baxter free kick. Theo Vassell seemed to have his hands all over George Edmundson, but again Mr Wright waved the claims away.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): Iversen; Hamer, Clarke, Edmundson, Hunt; Branger-Engone (Nepomuceno 45), Lyden (Benteke 70), Gardner, Lang; Baxter; O’Grady. Subs (not used): Dummigan, Missilou, Graham, McFarlane
Attendance 4,323 (449 visitors).