Latics fell to defeat away at Moss Lane against Altrincham.
Both sides traded chances in the first half, but it was Altrincham who broke the deadlock through Chris Conn-Clarke’s early strike.
Despite Latics having the ball in the final third for large sections of the second half, they just could not find an opening in the home side’s defence.
The early periods of the game saw both teams exchange possession of the ball, creating a few half chances and firing in a few crosses.
From those few half chances came the first serious assault on goal of the game, when Conn-Clarke cut in from the right, looking for the far corner with a low, placed shot, but Mat Hudson in between the sticks had it covered.
Latics responded with a chance of their own, Dan Gardner, who gave a good account of himself all game, swung in a cross towards James Norwood, who looked to flick the ball past Ross at the near post, just to see the effort saved.
Altrincham stepped up their intensity in attack, and took the lead just before the break.
A long ball was played forward from the defence for Alex Newby to run onto, which he controlled and moved into the penalty area.
With Conn-Clarke arriving in support and only Will Sutton there to support Hudson, it was a two vs. one as Newby switched it to his attack partner.
Conn-Clarke took a touch, before firing past Sutton and Hudson into the Latics goal.
An instant response is what Micky Mellon wanted, and he almost got it.
Gardner and Norwood linked up once more, this time it was Dan’s cross looking to reach James at the far post, but Alty were alert to the move, knocking the ball behind for a corner.
Athletic came out in the second half looking like a much more dominant side, keeping Altrincham camped in their half for a good portion of the second half.
In a ten-minute period, Oldham created three or four decent chances, but good saves from Ross in the Alty goal, or valiant defending from the hosts kept the scores level.
The best chance arguably fell to the hero from this very fixture from the FA Cup tie earlier in the season, and it came in a similar position.
A set piece came in from the left, it was headed down by one of the numerous bodies in the box, towards an opening in front of Harrison McGahey,
Harrison had to react quickly, swinging his right foot at the ball, just for it to be blocked inadvertently by the back of Lewis Baines’ leg.
Latics will feel disappointed not to have taken something from the match, despite the attacking talent and resilient defending on display from Phil Parkinson’s side.
Oldham: Hudson, Kitching, Hogan, Raglan, McGahey, Gardner, Hope (Lundstran, 82’), Sutton, Dallas, Norwood, Conlon.
Subs Not Used: Norman, Hobson, Ward, Sheron.
Altrincham: Ross, Banks, Jones, Baines, Osborne, Linney (Roscoe, 89’), Conn-Clarke, Cooper, Donawa, Wilson (Hancox, 68’), Newby (Kosylo, 68’).
Subs Not Used: Angus, Mooney.
Attendance: 4,578 (1,056)
Referee: Paul Marsden
