Accrington Stanley 1-0 Latics

Latics tasted defeat on the road this afternoon, losing 1-0 against Accrington Stanley in the lunchtime kick-off.  

Latics started the game brightly but found themselves behind after some poor defending from a free-kick saw Benn Ward bundle home at the back post.  

In the second half chances were limited, Latics came closest through a Michael Mellon free-kick that was parried well by Ollie Wright.  

Ultimately, it was a tough afternoon for Latics who make the short trip back home empty handed.  

Latics started brightly, a low ball into the area by Jamie Robson was flicked at goal by Luke Hannant, but his effort lacked power.  

Two minutes later, the ball fell invitingly to Kai Payne who fired at goal first time, he saw his effort parried well by Wright and the goalkeeper managed to gather on the second attempt.  

Latics were seeing the best of the chances in the early exchanges, the ball came to Josh Hawkes on 12 minutes who had a go on the volley first time, it was a good connection, but it was just over the bar.  

The pressure continued, Robson played a quick ball to Joe Quigley, who did excellently to get in front of Farrend Rawson and win a free kick, but Hawkes’ effort narrowly sailed over the bar.  

Despite the early pressure it was the hosts that took the lead after 32 minutes, a free-kick from the left caused all kinds of danger and the ball was bundled home by a combination of Benn Ward and Robson.  

Six minutes later, from a Ryan Woods corner there was a scarmble inside the area which was just waiting for a touch, but the hosts managed to clear.  

As the half looked to be heading to a close, Latics could have levelled in the third minute of additional time. Kane Drummond saw his effort saved by Wright; on the second attempt his cross was met by Quigley whose header was put behind for a corner. Following the clearance the referee then sounded his whistle.  

The hosts started brightly looking to add to their lead, the dangerous Isaac Heath looked to be advancing at goal, but Monthe was alert to block his goal bound effort.  Substitute Michael Mellon flicked a cross at goal first time minutes after coming on, which skimmed the top of the netting.  

The second half saw manager Micky Mellon try to tweak things tactically, bringing on Dynel Simeu for his league debut and Mike Fondop up top.  

With eight to go, Tom Pett's strike at goal comes of Mellon and has Wright wrong footed, but the ball goes just wide of the post.   With Latics pushing, Mellon had a free kick that had to be parried away from danger by Wright.  

Wright, moments later, came off his line for a Ryan Woods cross but dropped the ball, but his defenders were there to clear the danger.  

On 90, Mellon's low free-kick hit Robson on its way towards goal, but Wright adjusted his feet well and claimed.  

The hosts could have sealed the win in the last minute of additional time when Heath went through on goal, but his cross was over hit.  

After four minutes of additional time, the referee sounded his whistle to signal defeat on the road for Latics.

Accrington Stanley: Wright, Love, Grant, Rawson (O’Brien 46), Coyle, Whalley (Caton 87), Madden, Sinclair, Ward, Matthews, Heath.  

Subs not used: Kelly, Henderson, Bauress, Conneely, Woods.  

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Caprice, Monthe, Daniels, Robson, Woods, Pett, Payne (Simeu 68), Hannant (Stevens 52), Hawkes (Drummond 26, (Fondop 68)), Quigley (Mellon 52).  

Subs not used: Donaghy, Ogle.  

Referee: Simon Mather  

Attendance: 3,031 (1,288)