Salford City 1-0 Latics

It was defeat on the road for Latics after a first half header condemned them to a 1-0 loss at Moor Lane.  

The only goal of the game came in the first 15 minutes. Kelly Nmai was fouled inside the area, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.  

Kadeem Harris took the kick; he saw his effort come back off the post but unfortunately for Latics the rebound was nodded home by Dan Udoh.  

Latics’ best chance to level came late in the dying embers of the game. Kieron Morris’ cutback from the left was to Joe Garner, but the striker couldn’t guide his effort on target.  

Latics started the game very brightly, Tom Pett's strike from distance troubled Matty Young in the Salford goal, but he managed to get a hand to it and tip over the bar for a corner.  

A minute later, on the half volley Ryan Woods had a go at goal, Young again parried and did well to gather the rebound under pressure from Joe Quigley.  

However, on 15 minutes it was the hosts who took the lead in the game, Manny Monthe brought down Nmai inside the area, and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.  

Up stepped Harris whose penalty came back off the post, but on the rebound Dan Udoh headed home to give the hosts the early advantage.  

Latics were looking for a way back into the game, full-back Jamie Robson did well to create space for himself to shoot before the half hour, but his low effort was into the side netting.  

The hosts continued to look dangerous however, four minutes before the break, a well taken corner from saw Ben Woodburn curl an effort at goal, but it was no trouble for Hudson.  

Latics looked to head into the break level, Robson's cross is looking for substitute Kieron Morris, but it was just over his head and as the ball came back in Kai Payne won a corner.  

With minutes left in the half, Quigley's low effort from inside the area was held by Young and after eight minutes of additional time Latics went in a goal behind.  

Six minutes into the second period, Quigley flicked a header on for the onrushing Payne, but his effort was over the bar.  

Down the left the hosts the hosts continued to look threatening, Udoh took the ball from Will Sutton and drove, but Monthe was there to block and clear the danger.

Down that flank again, the hosts appealed for a penalty as Udoh went down in the area under a challenge from Jake Caprice, but the referee waved away protests.  

Latics kept looking for a way back into the game, Mike Fondop flicked onto Michael Mellon who tried to return the ball back to the striker, but Luke Garbutt managed to intercept for the hosts.  

On 64 minutes Latics were dealt a big blow, Will Sutton was given his marching orders and sent off as the referee had deemed him to have brought down Nmai as he was in on goal and Latics had over half an hour to play with 10.  

Latics switched to a back three and made a couple of changes, one of them was Kane Drummond who was immediately involved.   His teasing ball was for Morris, he took a touch, but the referee spotted a foul and gave a free kick.  

A great chance for Latics came just on 90 minutes as Joe Garner blazed over from inside the area after Morris’ cross fell into the striker's path.  

The hosts managed to limit Latics to minimal opportunities after and frustrate the away side as they pushed for the leveller.  

After eight minutes of additional time, the first-half opener was the only goal of the game and Latics made the short trip back home empty handed.

Salford City: Young, Ashley, Turton, Woodburn (Butcher 78), Nmai (Borini 81), Harris (Cooper 89), Mnoga (Longelo 78), Cesay (Austerfield 89), Oluwo, Udoh, Garbutt.  

Subs not used: Howard, Stockton.  

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Ogle, Sutton, Monthe, Robson, Pett, Woods, Hannant (Morris 37), Payne (Drummond 71), Mellon (Garner 71), Quigley (Fondop 57).

Subs not used: Donaghy, Leake.  

Referee: Jacob Miles  

Attendance: 4,006 (1,360)