Bristol Rovers 2-0 Oldham Athletic
Stu Vose at the Memorial Stadium

Latics slipped to their second successive away defeat as a long Tuesday trip south turned into an evening to forget at Bristol.

John Sheridan's men were made to pay for an off-colour opening 45 minutes as the attack-minded Pirates plundered two goals to build a lead they would never relinquish despite second-half pressure.

Rickie Lambert led the way with his 11th goal of the season after just 16 minutes, and that strike set the tone as Chris Lines snuck in to add a second just after the half-hour.

A Latics side showing two changes from the Leicester game - Deane Smalley and Brett Ormerod in for Andy Liddell and Craig Davies - couldn't right the ship in the second half despite creating a number of chances and dominating the proceedings for long spells.

Athletic created a handful of half-chances in a useful opening spell, although it was the hosts who carved out the first real opening when Lambert's powerful free-kick was turned behind by Mark Crossley 13 minutes in.

And it wasn't long before the Pirates' dangerman had his eleventh goal in just 15 games after Athletic failed to close him down 35 yards from goal.

The pass looked to be the only option on when the talismanic frontman collected a loose ball on 16 minutes, but he surprised everyone by arrowing a powerful effort beyond Crossley and into the bottom corner.

Chris Taylor appeared to be Athletic's best hope for a quick reposte, as the winger curled a trademark effort just wide before forcing Steve Phillips into a fine tip-over save with a fierce drive.

Referee Fred Graham waved away the hosts' appeals for a penalty on the half-hour after Paul Trollope's side felt Latics' skipper Sean Gregan handled his own attempted overhead clearance inside the area.

But the gloom deepened for the visitors just four minutes later when a corner from the right wasn't cleared and defender Lines swept home from close range at the far post.

And with Athletic on the ropes, Rovers wasted a great chance to make it three before the break as that man Lambert teed up the advancing Craig Disley, who blazed well wide from just inside the box.

Left-back Daniel Jones ended a surging run with a low shot into the side-netting five minutes into the second half as Latics searched for some kind of foothold in the game.

And Bristol keeper Phillips was the hero on 52 minutes as he got down brilliantly to keep out Lee Hughes' point-blank header at the front post. 

With Latics cranking up the pressure after a below-par first half, Brett Ormerod helped the ball on in a goalmouth scramble only to see his effort hacked off the line by a covering defender at the last possible second.

However, Trollope's Bristol proved they were still very much a threat when Stuart Campbell threaded a fine ball through to  Disley, who raced clear but was denied as Crossley charged out to dive at his feet.

John Sheridan sent on sub Lewis Alessandra with 24 minutes remaining, and the youngster knocked down for Mark Allott to fizz wide before breaking loose in the box only to be shut out by a last-ditch block.

But again Bristol hit back on the counter, nearly breaking through 16 minutes from time when Lines fired over from the edge of the box after Lambert touched back sub Jo Kuffour's low cross.

Latics' travelling support thought they had found a way back into the game with just nine minutes remaining as Reuben Hazell rose highest to meet Danny Whitaker's free-kick, but the ball flashed just off-target with Phillips well beaten.

But any hopes of a comeback were defused as Rovers made the better of the final eight minutes, Lambert first miskicking when in a good position before being denied by another brave save from Crossley.

Latics: Crossley, Lomax (Davies, 81), Jones, Hazell, Gregan, Taylor, Smalley, Allott, Whitaker, Hughes, Ormerod (Alessandra, 66).

Subs Not Used: Fleming, Maher, Davies, Eardley.

Booked: Allott (36), Lomax (75), Gregan (88).

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: None.


Bristol R: Phillips, Pipe, Hinton, Anthony, Lescott, Disley, Lines, Campbell, Hughes (Jacobson, 73), Duffy (Kuffour, 64), Lambert.

Subs Not Used: Green, Hunt, Klein-Davies.

Booked: Pipe (88).

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: Lambert (16), Lines (34)

Referee: Mr F Graham
Assistant: Mr W Barratt
Assistant: Mr M Rowley
Fourth Official: Mr N Hobbs


Att: 6,379 (230 away)