Richie Wellens earned his first win in charge of Oldham Athletic as his 10-men earned the club’s first home win of the season with a dramatic 3-2 victory over high-flying Peterborough United.
Two goals and an assist from Eoin Doyle inspired Latics to victory in a game full of twists and turns.
He gave Latics the lead on 50 minutes before Brian Wilson was dismissed which resulted in a Posh penalty.
Marcus Maddison scored to equalise but a goal from Dan Gardner and a second from Doyle put Latics 3-1 ahead.
Jack Marriott pulled a goal back in additional time, eight of which were added, but Latics managed to hold on to seal a vital win.
Interim manager Richie Wellens gave goalkeeper Johny Placide his debut whilst Doyle returned to the side following his suspension.
Latics passed the ball around neatly early on and took control of the game.
Kean Bryan, who lined up as part of a back three in defence, had Athletic’s first shot of the game but his tame effort was saved by Jonathan Bond.
Placide was forced into action, however, on three minutes as he tipped over Marcus Maddison’s free kick from 25 yards out.
Athletic were probing the Posh defence with Craig Davies taking the game to the visitors. He won a free kick soon after but Jack Byrne’s strike from 25 yards went harmlessly over the crossbar.
On 10 minutes, Nepomuceno nutmegged his opponent, crossed into the box to Doyle but he glanced his header past the far post.
The Curacao international was a threat on the left and not long later, he delivered a teasing cross which had to be tipped behind by the goalkeeper.
Placide impressed in the first half and he was again forced into action as he was forced to clear a tame back pass from Bryan.
Midway through the half, Placide claimed the ball from a corner and quickly distributed the ball forward to Doyle, however, his cross to Rob Hunt was just ahead of the full back.
There was a stoppage in play just after the half hour mark as Junior Morias was stretched off with a leg injury. He was replaced by Idris Kanu.
The defence did well to keep Jack Marriott, who is the league’s top goalscorer, quiet in the opening 45 minutes.
Athletic finished the half strongly as Davies and Doyle continued to be a threat for Latics but it was goalless at half time.
The game kicked into life in the second half and it was the visitors who first went close to taking the lead.
Marriott cut inside from the left and struck past the goalkeeper but the post saved Latics from going behind.
However, Athletic did take the lead in the 51st minute through Doyle.
Byrne managed to nutmeg his man, shot from distance which the goalkeeper spilled and Doyle’s predatory instincts kicked in and he followed up to give Wellens’ side the lead.
However, that lead was to last only seven minutes as Peterborough United equalised from the penalty spot.
Midfielder Maddison capitalised on an error and drew the foul from Wilson who received his marching orders.
His penalty went straight down the middle, in off the crossbar as Posh drew level.
A host of substitutions followed for both sides and Latics were fortunate not to be behind on 72 minutes as Ricky Miller’s initial shot was saved by Placide, and Maddison’s follow up was excellently saved by the goalkeeper.
Despite the man disadvantage, Latics did manage to retake the lead on 80 minutes through Gardner.
And it was the good work of Doyle who broke through on goal and he unselfishly laid the ball to Gardner who found the near post and Latics were back ahead.
Abdelhakim Omrani was introduced and his first real contribution to the game was to expertly set up the third goal for Athletic.
His Cryuff turn on the left beat two men and he delivered excellently into the box for Doyle to guide into the goal for Latics to take a 3-1 lead.
Out of nowhere, eight minutes of additional time was announced and two minutes into that, Posh pulled a goal back.
From a free kick, Latics could not clear and Marriott bundled into the goal to make it a nervy ending.
Posh threw everything forward in a bid to get something out of the game but 10-man Latics managed to hold on and record a vital three points.
Oldham Athletic: Placide, Wilson, Clarke, Hunt, Nepomuceno (Dummigan 60’), Fane, Gardner, Byrne (Omrani 81'), Doyle, Davies (Banks 63’).
Subs not used: Ruddy, Gerrard, Menig, Obadeyi.
Peterborough United: Bond, Shephard (Da Silva Lopes 59’), Hughes, Tafazolli, Baldwin (Miller 69’), Forrester, Maddison, Marriott, Morias (Kanu 37’), Doughty, Taylor.
Subs not used: O’Malley, Lloyd, Penny, Anderson.
Goals: Oldham Athletic (Doyle 51’, 85’, Gardner 80’) 3-2 Peterborough United (Maddison 58’, Marriott 90+2’)
Attendance: 2,975 (263 visiting supportr