Match-winner almost didn’t make it - boss

ATHLETIC boss Dean Holden was delighted with Saturday's much-needed victory at Crewe - but admitted match-winner Conor Wilkinson almost didn't make the trip.

The Bolton Wanderers loanee had been ill leading up to the game, but recovered enough to be on the substitutes' bench - and in the end pounced to notch a smartly-taken winning goal with 16 minutes to go.

Reflecting on only a second win in eight games, Holden said: "Every player had pride in that Oldham shirt and the fans will have gone home very happy with the win and clean sheet.

"It was great for young Joel Coleman on his debut, of course, but more than that it was about the whole performance. Everyone gave absolutely everything and I couldn't be happier. I fancied us to keep a clean sheet.

"We had a couple of wobbles in the first half, but Conor came on and did the business for us. He had been itching to get on. He hadn't been eating and he hadn't take on much fluid and we did well to get him here in the first place to be honest. But we managed to get him in and it proved to be the right decision.

"A battling performance and a victory like that gives everyone a sense of hope going into the remainder of the season.”

"We had experienced a couple of defeats, but we can turn our attentions to Rochdale (tomorrow) now.

"The staff and players will prepare properly for that of course, but we'll be ready for the battle, because that's what it will be. If we get a result in that one, we could enjoy a really good end to the season."