OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, CRAWLEY TOWN 3
Oldham Athletic’s pursuit of a first win of the season continues following the home defeat by Crawley Town.
Harry Kewell has lost all three matches in Sky Bet League Two, the last one against the club where he cut his teeth in management and whose last away win was in August 2019..
It was another frustrating afternoon for Latics whose only wins have come in the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy.
There was a debut for Leeds United loanee Alfie McCalmont, signed the day before the match, and recalls for Davis Keillor-Dunn and Conor McAleny, three changes from the side that beat Wolves U21s 4-0 in the EFL Trophy.
The players losing their places were Dylan Fage, Jordan Barnett and scholar Ben Hough.
Latics took an early lead through Danny Rowe before capitulating as strikes from Ashley Nadesan, George Francomb and Tom Nichols put Crawley 3-1 ahead with 21 minutes left. McAleny reduced the deficit, but Latics again finished empty handed.
Kewell’s side made a bright start with McAleny having a couple of chances, the latter well saved by goalkeeper Glenn Morris to deny the former Everton youngster.
Latics took the lead after half an hour as Rowe ghosted in unmarked to head home a cross from Callum Whelan.
However, straight from kick-off, John Yem’s side equalised as Nadesan converted a low cross from close range.
Eight minutes later and Crawley were ahead when captain Francomb scored with a drive from the edge of the box which went in off the upright.
Latics were unlucky not to be level just before the break when Carl Piergianni headed against the crossbar from Bobby Grant’s corner.
Australian attacker George Blackwood was brought on for the restart and impressed as Latics searched for a second goal.
The visitors extended their advantage midway through the second half when former Bristol Rovers striker Nichols stole in at the far post to head home a cross from Francomb.
Latics pulled a goal back in the 80th minute when McAleny got on the end of a cross from Andreas Badan to slot a low shot past Morris.
In added time, Latics came to an equaliser when Blackwood set up Whelan who blazed over.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Hamer, Jombati, Piergianni, Badan, McCalmonet, Whelan, Grant (Fage 67), Keillor-Dunn (Blackwood 46), McAleny, Rowe (Barnett 84). Subs (not used): Chapman, Borthwick-Jackson, Da Silva, Hough.
Goals: Rowe, 30, McAleny, 80, for Oldham. Nadesan, 31, Francomb, 39, Nichols, 69, for Crawley.