CHELTENHAM TOWN 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic’s terrific run of results on the road came to an end at Cheltenham Town where they suffered a first away league loss in eight games.
It was a disappointing night for Latics whose performance failed to reach the heights of others on their travels against badly out-of-form opponents.
Cheltenham, despite being in the play-off places, had not win in their previous nine games, seven of which had been in the league.
Second-half goals from Andy Williams and Alfie May condemned Latics to only their third away league defeat in 12 games which had yielded a fabulous return of 21 points.
Cheltenham showed no ill effects of their Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie three days earlier when they lost 3-1 to Manchester City when they had been ahead with nine minutes left.
Latics made two changes from the side that beat high-flying Newport County three days earlier as Bruce Ntambwe and Kyle Jameson were preferred to Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Bobby Grant. Laurence Bilboe again deputised for injured goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.
Head coach Harry Kewell’s side created chances during a promising first-half but were punished for failing to capitalise when on top.
Bilboe was forced into early saves, twice denying May before saving Williams’ header from a Lewis Freestone cross.
Latics thought they had opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Marcel Hilssner’s fiercely-struck free-kick from 40 yards was fumbled by Josh Griffiths. The ball looked to be trickling in but referee Carl Brook judged that it had not crossed the line by the time the goalkeeper recovered.
A shot from Dylan Bahamboula flashed wide and the Frenchman had a great chance shortly before the interval but, after delaying, saw his shot charged down.
McAleny curled a shot wide after good approach work involving Hilssner and Nicky Adams, and Latics’ bright play continued initially after the re-start with McAleny’s shot being deflected wide.
It was against the run of play that the home side went ahead, Williams sending a curling effort past Bilboe and the home side soon proceeded to take control.
That was not until Bahamboula, weaving his way in from the right, struck the Cheltenham crossbar, but that was as good as things would get the for visitors.
Will Boyle headed wide from a Chris Clements corner while Bilboe gathered a Finn Azaz shot at the second attempt and the goalkeeper did well to deny Williams at close range.
Any chance of a Latics comeback was extinguished after 83 minutes when May, who scored against Manchester City, found the target after a nice turn and excellent finish.
Oldham Athletic: Bilboe, Clarke, Jombati, Garrity, Keillor-Dunn (McCalmont 76), Jameson (Badan 70), Ntambwe (Grant 64), McAleny, Hilssner, Adams, Bahamboula. Subs (not used): Chapman, Piergianni, Fage, Hamer,
Goals: Williams, 54, May, 83, for Cheltenham.