Oldham’s fine form on road continues
OLDHAM manager David Dunn hailed his team’s never-say-die attitude as a second-half turnaround secured three points.
A goal from livewire forward Dominic Poleon was followed by an 87th-minute winner credited to Danny Philliskirk, cancelling out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s sixth of the season as the Spireites fell to a fifth league defeat on home soil.
It was only Dunn’s second win as a manager, and one that helped keep alive Oldham’s remarkable unbeaten record away from home in 2015-16.
And the rookie boss admitted it took a half-time rocket to get his players going.
“On our second-half performance we deserved it,” said Dunn, whose side moved up a place to 18th.
“First half, it wasn’t great watching and we weren’t penetrating their goal as much as we would have liked.
“To go in at half-time 1-0 down sometimes isn’t too bad away from home. You can regroup and they got the kick up the backside they needed.
“We got out of the traps in the second half.We kept the momentum well and against a decent side who score a lot of goals.
“One thing about us is, when we do go a goal behind we don’t half bounce back well. It is a real positive for us.”
Chesterfield started the game the brighter amid a sombre atmosphere with an Oldham fan treated in the away stand for a heart attack. He was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Ebanks-Blake scored the opening goal after an overlapping run from Daniel Jones caught Oldham out.The left-back’s cross deflected to the former Wolves star and his finish was emphatic.
Liam Kelly went close for Oldham from long range but it wasn’t until after the interval that they started to show real purpose. Substitute Girogio Rasulo had an almost immediate impact, his shot spilled by Lee with Poleon following in to net his fourth goal of the season.
Rasulo also played a part in the winner. His lay-off was picked up by Philliskirk and a 30-yard shot squirmed under goalkeeper Tommy Lee before going in off his back having hit a post.
Poleon forced another save from Lee, but Chesterfield struggled to get anything meaningful going in response.
“The conditions were horrific and it was bordering on nearly being called off at one point,” said Spireites boss Dean Saunders.“Puddles were appearing on the pitch and it was difficult for both teams.
“It was really dangerous in the middle of the field. Players were slipping over a lot and there were lots of mistakes.”