OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, SCUNTHORPE UNITED 2
Harry Kewell cited complacency as a contributory factor to Oldham Athletic’s home Sky Bet League Two defeat to struggling Scunthorpe United.
Latics’ head coach was unhappy as his side three-match winning run in all competitions unexpectedly came to a halt.
You had to bear in mind the Iron were second from bottom and without an away win since January, ironically it was a 2-0 win at Boundary Park on New Year’s Day.
But of Latics thought they were ripe for the taking, they were mistaken as second-half goals from Jacob Beadeau and Kevin Van Veen secured maximum points for the visitors.
Yet at the start it looked as though the game would follow the form book as Latics began brightly with Danny Rowe and Dylan Bahamboula having early chances.
Rowe showed he can be useful in both boxes and he kept the scores level with a brilliant clearance off the line, denying Manny Onariase.
Harry Clarke had another chance to give Latics the lead when he gets on the end of Davis Keillor-Dunn corner, but his header flew wide.
The Iron gradually took control as Abo Eisa forced a smart save from Ian Lawlor who also saved well from Ryan Loft while Van Veen twice went close.
Latics began the second half well with Ben Garrity having two chances, but he was unable to find a route to goal.
The deadlock was broken on the hour when Latics failed to clear a corner and Beadeau evaded the offside trap to slide a shot under the oncoming Lawlor.
Rowe had a chance to equalise, but his shot was blocked by a team-mate, something that was indicative of their fortunes.
Van Veen ensured his side took maximum points with a long-range strike 12 minutes from times.
The Dutch striker had far too much room through the middle and gave Lawlor no chance with his powerful strike.
Latics were unable to find a way back into the game as the Iron showed their mettle in the latter stages to comfortably see out the game.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, H.Clarke, Borthwick-Jackson, Jameson, Hamer (Grant 75), Ntambwe, Garrity, Blackwood (Fage 62), Keillor-Dunn, Bahamboula, Rowe. Subs (not used): Bilboe, Jombati, Piergianni, Whelan, Barnett.
Goals: Bedeau, 60, Van Veen, 78, for Scunthorpe.