MANSFIELD TOWN 4, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic, usually impressive on the road, suffered their heaviest defeat of the season on their league travels in their final away game of the campaign at Mansfield Town.
It was a disappointing as Latics failed to deliver with head coach Keith Curle unhappy with his side’s performance – they had been seeking a 10th away league victory.
Zak Dearnley marked his return from injury with a second-half goal, but it proved to be no more than a consolation at Field Mill.
From the moment Latics fell behind inside 12 minutes, the writing was on the wall as it was largely one-way traffic from the Stags.
Curle made three changes from home defeat against bottom-club Grimsby Town last weekend, Dearnley returning after a 22-game absence, while Marcus Barnes and Ben Garrity also started.
The home side were quick out of the blocks with chances in the opening minutes for Tyrese Sinclair and George Lapslie.
They took the lead through for Latics’ academy player Sinclair with an angled finish over Laurie Walker after George Maris won possession in midfield before releasing Jamie Reid to play in the striker.
Conor McAleny tried to free Dearnley in behind the home defence as Latics looked to respond but it was Mansfield who continued to control the play.
Sinclair shot over after a good turn on the edge of the box and minutes later he set up Keaton Ward, but he was unable to finish.
Walker made a save from Lapslie after Latics failed to clear a corner from Stephen Quinn, but the dangerous midfielder was on target seven minutes before the break, getting the final touch after an initial effort from Stephen McLaughlin.
Latics got themselves a lifeline six minutes after the restart, Dearnley profiting on a breakdown in communications between goalkeeper Aidan Stone and Ryan Sweeney to walk the ball into an empty net.
For a brief period, the goal appeared to lift Latics, Carl Piergianni heading over from a Nicky Adams free kick. Harry Clarke also went close after meeting a corner from Callum Whelan.
But the respite for the visitors was only brief, Walker denying Reid after good approach work from Quinn.
The home side restored their two-goal advantage with 10 minutes remaining, Lapslie adding his second at the far post to convert a right-wing cross from Maris.
And after Walker had saved from Harry Charsley, Mansfied scored a fourth in the 88th minute, Reid converting the rebound after James Clarke cut in from the right before his initial shot was saved.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Clarke, Jameson, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Adams (Fage 70), Whelan, Garrity, McAleny (Bahamboula 51), Dearnley (Keillor-Dunn 51), Barnes (McCalmont 60). Subs (not used): Bilboe, Badan, Vaughan.