WALSALL 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic completed an unwanted hat-trick as they lost at form-team Walsall in their latest match for League Two survival.
After new head coach John Sheridan went unbeaten in his first seven league games – and briefly escaped the relegation places – things have started to unravel.
Defeats against Carlisle, Swindon and Walsall in the last three matches has left Latics second bottom and three points from safety.
It was always going to be interesting to see how Latics reacted to their first setback under Sheridan and, sadly, it has not been good.
On his first League Two start of the season, Will Sutton put Oldham ahead only hours after being recalled from loan at Farsley Celtic.
The Saddlers hit back with goals from Emmanuel Osadebe and former Latics’ loanee Connor Wilkinson as they continued their climb to mid-table under new manager Michael Doyle as they have lost only once in their last nine league matches. It was not long since they were also battling relegation.
In truth, Latics could have no complaints about the result. While there were moments to encourage the 566 travelling fans, the home side were superior for large parts of the game and carried a threat throughout.
With Harrison McGahey joining the lengthening injury list and Jordan Clarke suspended, Sheridan was not only prompted to make four changes to the line-up from the late defeat at Swindon but also opted for a new shape, Sutton joining Carl Piergianni and Sam Hart as part of a three-man central defence.
Sutton put Latics in front after 21 minutes, nudging the ball home amid a goalmouth scramble from Nicky Adams’ right-wing corner.
Despite the goal, Latics had found themselves on the back foot, Danny Rogers parrying a long-range drive from Joss Labadie before George Miller fired an angled shot wide.
Once ahead, Latics almost extended their advantage in spectacular fashion when Davis Keillor-Dunn, spotted Carl Rushworth off his line after receiving the ball just inside the Walsall half. The striker took a touch before showing the audacity to go for goal with brilliant-lofted effort, only for the ball to narrowly clear the bar and land on top of the net.
Sadly, that was as good as it would get and the lead was short-lived, Osadebe advancing down the Walsall left before dispatching a powerful angled drive across Rogers and into the bottom right-hand corner.
The first half was entertainingly open, Latics’ Dylan Fage breaking down the flank before cutting the ball back to Christopher Missilou who shot over.
Yet Walsall’s offensive quality meant they always carried a threat, Rogers claiming an overhead kick from Wilkinson shortly before half-time while Labadie also headed wide.
Osadebe was the home side’s biggest danger and within minutes of the restart, Rogers was called into action again to deny the striker.
With chances for Miller and substitute Devante Rodney, Walsall continued to create trouble for Latics.
The visitors went close themselves when Missilou’s low effort was touched wide by Rushworth.
But the home side translated their superiority into victory 17 minutes from time, Osadebe this time the provider as he played a pass into Wilkinson who slid in to send the ball past Rogers as Latics were left to reflect on another night of disappointment.
Oldham Athletic: Rogers, Hart, Piergianni, Adams, Hope (Hopcutt 78), Keillor-Dunn, Fage, Hunt (Whelan 86), Millilou, Sutton, Vaughan (Bahamboula 53). Subs (not used): Leutwiler, Stobbs, Diarra, Couto.
Goals: Osadebe (32), Wilkinson (73) for Walsall. Sutton (21) for Oldham.
Attendance: 4,339 (566 away).