Danny simply sublime after his call from the bench

SIGN LANGUAGE: Danny Philliskirk produces his goal celebration after ending his scoring drought

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Oldham Athletic 3, Scunthorpe 2

YOU have to go back to the extraordinary 5-4 win over Peterborough last season for the last time Athletic hit more than one goal at home.

Whether it was a stroke of managerial genius to bring on Danny Philliskirk at half-time, or

simply a mistake to leave him out from the start, is irrelevant in the context of three points won.

The forward - without a goal since scoring the winner against Crawley in March - sneaked into prime scoring areas to net twice in the second half and end his 19-game barren run.

Both were sharp finishes. The first saw him burst in front of his marker to flick home a centre from Brian Wilson, levelling the game at 2-2 in the 66th minute.

And as Scunthorpe continued to employ every trick to waste time and hold on for a point, Philliskirk was in prime position to head a nod-back from James Wilson as Athletic made the most of a deep set-piece floated in by Liam Kelly.

The victory might not have caused the same level of hysteria as the Peterborough game. But that one never really led anywhere, while on Saturday Athletic looked like a side determined to make it seven games unbeaten.

They are a tough nut to crack playing like this, and second-placed Peterborough won't be counting their chickens over their chances at London Road on Saturday.

In the first half the pace of the passing was a little slow. In a brighter second period, the pace of the ball was raised as Lee Johnson’s men sought a response to goals from Andrew Boyce and veteran front man Rory Fallon.

It was about pushing and probing then taking the opportunities as they arose - just as Jonathan Forte had in the first half when he coolly slotted home a sixth goal of the season.

Philliskirk did just that and pinched a couple of classic strikes.

Scunthorpe, it must be noted, looked like a side short on fit players and confidence. The brightest thing about the Iron was the back-four’s identically-bright yellow boots.

Athletic, unchanged from the side that drew 0-0 at Notts County a week earlier, struggled to create

anything clearcut in front of goal, despite holding most of the possession.

Athletic pressed but manager Russ Wilcox's men were doing their boss proud defensively.

And on a rare sortie, after Fallon has connected sweetly enough to force Rachubka into a diving stop from his 20-yard curler, a corner kick was met by the rising Boyce and he flicked the ball home to give the visitors the lead.

It didn't last long. After Olejnik had appeared to handle the ball outside his area – the officials missed the incident – Rachubka initiated a counter-attack, Mike Jones carried the ball forward and his pass

carried little danger but for a horrible slip from Myrie-Williams which let in Forte.

Brisley then appeared to handle as he fell awkwardly in blocking a cross and Mike Jones hit a fierce shot that Olejnik tipped over, before Scunthorpe went ahead again. This time Fallon pinned Brian Wilson before spinning and firing home left-footed.

Worse was to come when George Elokobi was forced from the field with a thigh injury, to be replaced by Genseric Kusunga.

Athletic regrouped and played with more purpose and drive after the interval.

Forte couldn't quite keep his header down from a Carl Winchester crossn, Jones forced Olejnik into a diving stop with another 20-yard drive and as the pressure built, Philliskirk levelled when Brian Wilson produced a clever run and cross from the right flank.

Blood was scented and Wilcox's side looked vulnerable. Conor Wilkinson saw a shot blocked and a second directed straight at Olejnik, but the goalkeeper was well beaten as Philliskirk headed home from close range.