OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, FOREST GREEN ROVERS 3
A disappointing season ended on a predictable note for Manchester City with a 15th home defeat of their Sky Bet League Two campaign.
Forest Green Rovers became the last team to triumph at Boundary Park as they secured a promotion play-off place on the last day.
Latics were left to reflect on their woeful home form – 20 points from a possible 69 – as they finished bottom of the home table.
It was just as well Latics’ away form was the sixth best in the division as that save them from the threat of relegation.
Latics won nine times on their league travels – they managed only six at home – as they finished 18th and nine points clear of the bottom two.
After the disappointing defeat at Mansfield Town the previous weekend, head coach Keith Curle named four changes to his side with Davis Keillor-Dunn, Dylan Fage, Dylan Bahamboula and Alfie McCalmont replacing Zac Dearnley, Marcus Barnes, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Conor McAleny.
Ahead of kick-off, Latics paid tribute to fans who have sadly lost their lives over the past two seasons with one minute’s silence and the traditional ‘Latics Remembers’ being produced in their memory.
The visitors started the encounter on the front foot and nearly took the lead in the seventh minute as Aaron Collins’ strike from inside the box looked destined for the back of the net but was bravely blocked by captain Carl Piergianni.
Curle’s side began to create half-chances when Callum Whelan had an effort blocked and Dylan Fage’s volley flashed narrowly wide.
Collins had another effort blocked by Piergianni before Odin Bailey smashed a shot over the crossbar.
Just before the interval, Latics had the best chance of the half when Whelan displayed great vision to release Fage, but the Frenchman couldn’t keep his composure whilst one-on-one with Luke McGee and shot wide.
Soon after the restart, Fage had another opportunity to put his side ahead, but failed to hit the target again.
In the 63rd minute, Forest Green got themselves ahead as Bailey produced an excellent reverse pass to release substitute Jayden Richardson, but Kyle Jameson brought him down and Collins stepped up and converted the spot-kick.
Minutes later, the visitors sealed their place in the play-offs as goalscorer turned provider as Collins set up Bailey as he tapped the ball into an empty net to spark wild celebrations.
Latics nearly halved the deficit as Piergianni rose above his marker from a corner to head goalwards, but Luke McGee produced a fine save.
Jimmy Ball’s side secured all three points in the 80th minute as Collins raced through Latics’ defence before coolly taking the ball over Walker before slotting into an open goal for his 10th league goal of the campaign.
Forest Green could have made it four when defender Baily Cargill produces great footwork to beat two defenders which allowed him one-on-on with Walker, however, the goalkeeper denied him.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Clarke (Jombati 75), Piergianni, Garrity, Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Fage (Badan 72), Jameson (Sutton 72), Adams (Vaughan 72), Bahamboula (McAleny 58), McCalmont. Subs (not used: Borthwick-Jackson, Ntambwe.
Goals: Collins 63, 80, Bailey 65, for Forest Green Rovers.