Two second-half strikes from Gateshead cancelled out James Norwood's early strike for Latics, allowing the Heed to take all three points back to the North East.
In a half which Athletic really grew into, Norwood gave Latics the lead, being the final truss of a nice passing move, slotting it past Mair from inside the box.
Micky Mellon’s side certainly looked better following that goal, and had a larger share of the ball compared to the opening minutes, but couldn’t find a second goal.
Gateshead equalised Wearne not long after the second half restarted, before Storey found the net following Hudson’s save to give Gateshead the three points.
Both sides traded chances in the early parts of the game, with the visitors having the better share of them.
Sutton drove into the box, pulling the trigger from a tight angle, but his shot was palmed wide.
Francis caused panic when his powerful shot had Hudson beaten and rebounded off the crossbar, but Latics managed to clear.
The opening goal would come though, and it came through James Norwood.
Lundstram flicked on Kitching’s pass to open play up for Norwood, whose first time shot beat Mair to find the bottom corner.
Heed had the chance to equalise just before the break, with Francis’ header going just wide of the goal.
Gateshead’s equaliser came on the other side of the break, with Wearne beating Hudson with a placed shot from close-range.
That goal handed momentum to the away side, leading to their second on the hour-mark, Louis Storey tapped in on the follow-up from Hudson’s save.
Hogan had a good chance to net a goal against his former side, but his header went just over.
Hudson was called into action, and kept the deficit to just one, when he parried Hunter’s shot wide of the goal.
Oldham: Hudson, Kitching, Hogan, Hobson, Lundstram (Fondop, 69’), Sheron, Raglan, McGahey, Sutton, Stones (Moore, 65’), Norwood.
Subs not used: Norman, Willoughby, Hope.