Unbeaten home record ended

Non-league football

OLDHAM TOWN’S long unbeaten home record finally came to an end in a 1-0 defeat by Wigan Robin Park in the first division of the Vodkat North West Counties League.

It was their first home loss in the league since April 2007 and was clouded in controversy, with referee Darren Fernyhough the central figure.

Town, who dominated the game from start to finish, claimed they ought to have been awarded a first-half penalty when Lee Neville was brought down.

James Curley, John Joyce and Gareth Chew, a striker signed on loan from Mossley, all had chances to break the deadlock in the opening period.

And it was a similar story in the second half with Town’s only failing being their inability to take their chances.

There was further controversy when Neville was sent off following a foul which Town officials thought was a 50/50 challenge.

Park snatched victory midway through the second half with a goal from substitute Ryan Edwards which had more than a hint of offside.

CHADDERTON lost 3-1 at Darwen in a clash of the two crisis clubs in the first division of the Vodkat NWCL.

Darwen, who survived a high court winding-up order three days earlier, punished Chadderton who looked ring rusty as this was only their third game since Boxing Day.

Goals from Alan Charlesworth and Paul Pestero gave Darwen the advantage but Chadderton gave a much-improved display in the second half with Paul Ashton, moved from the wing to a central-striking spot, pulling a goal back.

However, Pestero soon added Darwen’s third goal after another defensive mistake.

Chadderton are in action tonight when they make a fifth attempt to stage their jinxed First Division Trophy tie against Bootle. The game is at Broadway, kick off 7.45.

MOSSLEY’S match at Newcastle Blue Star in UniBond League division one north was postponed due to a snowed-covered pitch at Kingston Park.