Another defeat for struggling Athletic

Brian Wilson: Missed early chance

Crewe Alexandra 1, Oldham Athletic 0

THE misery continued for Athletic as they slipped to a hugely dis-spiriting third Sky Bet League One defeat in a week, this time at fellow strugglers Crewe.

The visitors created little on another grim afternoon, one which ended with plenty of boo's ringing out from the away supports' section.

It was a disappointing first half effort from Athletic, who were behind at the interval.

David Dunn's men were on top in the early stages, and if Brian Wilson's header from six yards had gone wide instead of missing in the 10th minute, prospects may have turned out differently.

However, it was the Alex who went in front after 21 minutes.

Adam King was the man on target, smashing clinically into the roof of the net after meeting a neat Marcus Haber knock-down.

Skipper Liam Kelly tried to rally his troops and he drove a shot wide from 25 yards, but there were no further chances for the visitors before the break.

Veteran Ryan Lowe almost made it 2-0 in the 40th minute when he curled a super strike inches wide from the edge of the box.

Jake Cassidy finally returned from three months injured as a second-half substitute, but initial signs weren't good collectively as Athletic continued to struggle.

Kelly fired a shot narrowly wide, while at the other end James Jones did likewise as Crewe sought a potentially killer second goal.

With time running out Danny Philliskirk clipped a volley wide from close range, and it started to look like the Alex were about to hang on for a second straight win.

They did that, leaving Dunn with further head-scratching to do.