Oldham Athletic Res 2-1 Mansfield Town Res
Stu Vose at Boundary Park

Dale Stephens and Matty Wolfenden hit the target as Latics' second string came from behind to see off their Mansfield counterparts at Boundary Park.

Stags striker Anthony Robinson put his side into a surprise lead after just three minutes with a cool finish, but Athletic came back strongly and were ahead by the break.

An experienced home side kept things tight and could have added further goals during a second half which they largely dominated.

Things didn't start according to plan as Robinson took advantage of some slack marking to slide an angled shot beyond Greg Fleming after just three minutes.

He could have repeated the trick moments later, but Scottish U21 international Fleming proved to be the striker's equal and dived low to his right to keep the frontman's effort out.

Nathan Kilcourse and Chris O'Grady both came close in reply as Athletic looked to make amends for their slow start, and subsequently it was the home side making most of the running throughout.

Liam Dawson and Wolfenden had efforts saved by keeper David Knight - who played for Latics on loan from Middlesbrough during the early stages of the 2006/07 season.

Pacy striker Robinson provided a scare just before the half-hour when he ghosted into a useful position at the back post only to scuff his shot well wide of the mark.

And Athletic punished their opponents in fine style on 32 minutes as a loose ball broke kindly for Dale Stephens, who drilled a clinical effort beyond Knight's left hand from 12 yards.

Only a super save from Knight prevented Wolfenden from doubling his side's tally, but the livewire striker was not be denied eight minutes before the break.

Wolfenden latched on to a long ball over the top and streaked clear before coolly drawing Knight and rolling a low shot inside the far post.

And he would have added a third goal just moments later from another long ball had right back Chris Wood not clawed back lost ground brilliantly to make a picture-perfect sliding challenge at the last possible moment.

The second period was a quieter affair with chances at a premium.  Centre-back John Thompson came close with an hour to go, but his close-range header from a corner was gathered well by Knight.

Liam Dawson almost registered what would have been a stunning goal when he connected well with a dead ball from 20 yards out, but the left-back's powerful low effort slammed against the post and bounced away.

Stags skipper Matt Somner had his side's best chance of the closing stages when he forced Fleming to gather an ambitious piledriver from 25 yards.

And sub Tom Eaves could have added Latics' third in the final minute had he not been denied by a last-ditch tackle from a defender when closing in on goal.

Latics: Fleming, Kilcourse, Dawson, Maher, Cowan, Thompson, Smalley (Bembo-Leta, 84), Kalala, O'Grady (Eaves, 63), Wolfenden, Stephens.

Subs Not Used: Brooke, Esdaile-Biney, Ollerenshaw.

Booked: None.

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: Stephens (32), Wolfenden (37)


Mansfield: Knight, Wood, Kay, Somner, Kitchen, McCormack, Burnell, Naylor, Robinson, McGhee (Ryan, 77), Goward.

Subs Not Used:

Booked: None.

Sent Off: None.

Scorers: Robinson (3)


Referee: Mr R Madley
Assistant: Mr P Gooch
Assistant: Mr W King
Fourth Official: Mr M Rickard