Southend United 1-2 Oldham Athletic
Stu Vose at Roots Hall
Lee Hughes' seventh goal of the season earned Athletic three away points as John Sheridan's men came from behind to see off Southend at Roots Hall.
Beaten just once in 13 outings going into this contest, Southend took the lead eight minutes in the second half when James Walker fired home from close range.
But the goal seemed to light a fire under the visitors who stormed back into the contest through Chris Taylor before Hughes pulled off an opportunistic finish for the winner.
This latest win followed up the 1-0 victory at Northampton last weekend and helped to erase memories of a midweek defeat to Cheltenham.
And boss Sheridan will be delighted with how his side responded with their backs against the wall at a goal down away from home.
A low-key start produced few chances of note, Southend's Adam Barrett coming closest when he narrowly failed to connect with a free-kick floated to the back post.
But the hosts were developing an ability to break forward quickly and gave Athletic a big scare 25 minutes in when a stretching Alan McCormack somehow touched Kevin Betsy's cross over the bar from just four yards.
There was another moment of danger just after the half-hour when Jean-Francois Christophe cut inside his marker and slammed a deflected shot off the post with Mark Crossley stranded. Defender Barrett netted the rebound, but the celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Christophe then snatched a shot wide under pressure from Stefan Stam and Daniel Jones as the hosts and their quick passing game turned up the heat.
Athletic's first shot of the game came two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Hughes hacking a loose ball over the bar from close range following a corner.
John Sheridan's side came out brighter in the second half and came close to an opening goal seven minutes after the restart when Darren Byfield headed just wide.
But they were behind moments later when Simon Francis' cross wasn't cut out and Walker rammed the ball high into the net from point-blank range.
Opportunities were limited for the visitors against a well-drilled United side, but goalkeeper Adam Federici did have to produce an excellent diving save to push away an angled effort from Hughes just after the hour.
Then Taylor jinked down the left to deliver a super cross onto the head of Darren Byfield, only for Federici to show his athleticism to turn the ball over the bar.
A corner was given, followed by another as the Southend defence successfully repelled the visitors' pressure, but it was a case of third time lucky for Athletic.
Andy Liddell curled in the third flag-kick in succession and Taylor stole in front of his man to plant a firm header into the back of the net to bag his eighth goal of the season with 67 minutes gone.
Sheridan had the response he wanted - and it got even better four minutes later as the visitors took the lead from another set-piece after Taylor was chopped down on the edge of the box.
Jones' curling free kick was headed out to Hughes on the right-hand side, and the striker got his angles all right as his low drive across the box sneaked inside the far post.
Byfield created a chance for himself with a lightning turn in the box with five minutes remaining, beating his defender only to be stopped low by a sprawling Federici.
A left-footed effort from McCormack past Crossley's far post was the closest the hosts came as late pressure came to nought, and Latics held firm to win for a second successive game on the road.
Latics: Crossley, Lomax, Jones, Hazell, Stam, Taylor, Liddell, Allott, Maher, Hughes, Byfield.
Subs Not Used: Gregan, Eardley, Alessandra, Lee, Fleming.
Booked: Stam (54), Maher (75).
Sent Off: None.
Scorers: Taylor (67), Hughes (71)
Southend: Federici, Francis, Clarke, Barrett, McCormack, Walker, Revell (Ademeno, 80), Christophe (Grant, 87), Betsy, Harding, Milsom.
Subs Not Used: Sankofa, Herd, Mildenhall.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Scorers: Walker (53)
Referee: Mr P Crossley
Assistant: Mr M Foley
Assistant: Mr M McCoy
Fourth Official: Mr S Long
Att: 7,041 (254 away)
