HALF-TIME AT WEMBLEY: Latics trail at the interval

Thousands of Latics fans at Wembley today

Latics, spurred on by 25,000 fans, went into today's National League play-off final against Southend at Wembley unchanged for the third successive match.

They fell behind in the fifth minute when Charley Kendall took advantage of hesitation at the back to knock the ball past the advancing Mat Hudson, thought it was later adjudged to have been a Manny Monthe own-goal.

It took 15 minutes for Oldham to find their rhythm and have their first effort, Mike Fondop heading wide Tom Pett’s left wing corner.

On 17 minutes Latics had a great chance when Mark Kitching broke down the left and fired in a pinpoint cross which Yoganathan headed wide.

Southend came back with Hopper producing a simple safe for Hudson.

On the half hour Fondop was again involved in the action as his low shot was wide of the Southend post.

As half time approached Oldham were getting greater possession in the Shrimpers half, but the Essex side defended valiantly before Joe Garner headed against the outside of the post

Five minutes before half time Fondop had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Elliott Bell after appearing to be upended, one of a number of first half decisions which did not go Latics way

Latics should have equalised in the 44th minute after the ball landed fortuitously to Fondop with only Nick Hayes to beat.

His dink over the 'keeper looked to be heading goalwards, but trickled agonisingly wide.

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