Latics score late to secure victory at Crewe

Conor Wilkinson

CREWE 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1

Check out Simon's updated match report with more pictures at http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/article/90897/wilko-defies-illness-to-seal-victory

ATHLETIC registered a second victory under Dean Holden's charge thanks to a solitary strike from substitute Conor Wilkinson at relegation-threatened Crewe.

Wilkinson struck 16 minutes from time - having only replaced Rhys Turner 10 minutes earlier - when he steered a shot past Paul Rachubka from eight yards.

It had been a game of few chances at either end, but Wilkinson was the hero in the end after a contest in which Athletic defended resolutely throughout.

In a team which featured four changes following the midweek defeat to MK Dons, Athletic started impressively at sun-soaked Gresty Road.

Turner made a super run into the Crewe box before seeing a smart low drive superbly beaten away by former Athletic 'keeper Rachubka.

There was a major scare at the other end when skipper Adam Lockwood had to head Harry Davis's looping effort off the line, but the first half ended goalless.

It proved a largely dismal third quarter of the game as both sides struggled to maintain any kind of meaningful tempo on a rock hard pitch.

Athletic's young debutant between the sticks - Joel Coleman - produced a breath-taking finger-tip save to deny Anthony Grant, while at the other end loanee Anthony Gerrard flicked a header just wide after meeting Mike Jones' free-kick.

That was before Wilkinson struck following a neat lay-off from Danny Philliskirk.

BUY the Oldham Chronicle on Monday for Simon Smedley's full report with pictures.