Swindon Town returned to winning ways as they secured the three points on Latics’ home soil.
Harry McKirdy, lively throughout the match, give his side the lead in the first-half as he side-footed past Jayson Leutwiler from close range.
Tyreece Simpson extended Swindon’s lead in the second interval as he cooly slotted under the Latics shot-stopper before Carl Piergianni gave his side a lifeline with a goal in the 90th minute.
However, the Wiltshire-based outfit secured the win in added time as Simpson notched his second of the encounter meaning they keep their impressive away run in full flow.
Prior to kick-off, we paid our tribute to the fallen soldiers of the First World War with this fixture being our closest home match to Remembrance Day. Least We Forgot.
Keith Curle named one change for the clash between two former Premier League sides with QPR loanee Faysal Bettache returning to the side as Latics went in search of a much-needed win following a goalless draw at Carlisle United.
To add to this, Luke Southerington and Isaac Modi earned places on the bench for the first time after outstanding performances in the FA Youth Cup victory during the week.
The Robins enjoyed a large spell of possession into the early exchanges with Louis Reed dictating the tempo and they managed to carve open a few chances as a result. In the 20th minute, Ben Gladwin’s curling cross found the onrushing McKirdy at the back post, however, the attacker directed his attempt just past the far post.
Following that, Jordan Clarke produced a heroic block in order to keep the scores level. After a scramble inside the six-yard box, Simpson managed to manufacture space for a shot that was destined for the back of the net, however, the versatile defender bravely blocked the effort.
Oldham should’ve broken the deadlock when Jamie Bowden’s pinpoint free-kick found an unmarked Harrison McGahey inside the penalty area, but he guided his effort wide of goal to his frustration.
Ben Garner witnessed his side take the lead in the 32nd minute of the game. Ellis Iandolo flew down the left-hand side before drilling a cross into the box which resulted in McKirdy steering the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
The hosts nearly responded instantly as Hallam Hope looked to hit back at his former employer in front of their travelling support. At the back post, the Barbadian battled with his marker to win the header, but Jojo Wollcott showcased impressive reflexes to deny him.
Early into the second-half, Swindon aimed to double their advantage when McKirdy picked out the run of Kaine Hayden at the back post, but Leutwiler managed to deny the wing-back.
After that, Gladwin had the vision and ability to execute the pass which slotted Simpson one-on-one with Leutwiler, however, the shot-stopper incredibly denied the number nine with his feet.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net, again, as Simpson tapped into an empty net, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a goal-kick.
Although, Simpson did manage to get himself on the scoresheet in the 79th minute. Reed illustrated his class as his accurate long-range pass found the Ipswich Town loanee and he kept his composure as he raced one-on-one with Leutwiler to slot under the ‘keeper.
Curle introduced Modi, another exciting prospect from our youth team, from the bench with just less than 20 minutes remaining and the winger showed glimpses of his promise with his quick footwork.
Latics’ skipper powered a header past the goalkeeper at the back stick in the last minute which sparked a bit of belief into the supporters at Boundary Park.
Swindon wiped away any hope in an equaliser as Simpson netted his second of the game. The frontman dribbled the left-wing before driving towards the goal and his low effort found the far bottom to secure the win.
Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Clarke, McGahey, Piergianni ©, Whelan (Vaughan 74’), Hope, Keillor-Dunn, Bowden (Modi 81’), Bahamboula, Bettache, Couto.
Unused Subs: Southerington (GK), Fage, Da Silva, Diarra, Edwards.
Goals: Piergianni 90’
Swindon Town XI – Wollacott (GK), Iandolo, Conroy ©, Crichlow (Odimayo 46’), Baudry, Gladwin, Simpson, McKirdy (East 83’), Williams (Payne 65’), Hayden, Reed.
Unused Subs: Ward (GK), Mitchell-Lawson, Gilbert, Hunt.
Goals: McKirdy 32’, Simpson 78’, 94’
Attendance: 4,085 (635 away)
Referee – Anthony Backhouse