Latics end winless run with patience

OLDHAM manager Frank Bunn praised his side’s patience as substitute Jonathan Benteke’s 75th-minute strike, and Callum Lang’s solo goal in stoppage time, ended his team’s five-match run without a league win as they beat Cheltenham 2-0.

The Latics played the entire second half against 10 men after the visitors’ Sam Jones was dismissed in the final minute of the opening period when his lunging challenge on Gevaro Nepomuceno was followed by a headbutt on Jose Baxter.

Bunn had called for his misfiring side to be much more clinical in front of goal after drawing a blank in the previous game against Port Vale.

Benteke’s second-half introduction proved to be the key to unlocking the door, and Lang’s individual brilliance sealed the three points.

Bunn said of his players: “Every single one of them kept going, credit to all the lads, they just kept plugging away and, in the end, they got their just rewards.

“We tried to set about them from the opening whistle and we did.

“They kept going to the very end and I’m delighted for my two scorers.”

Benteke gleefully took his chance from six yards after Rob Hunt had invitingly delivered a low cross from the left. Added Bunn: “I had a word with Jonathan before he went on and told him what I wanted, I think he understood.

“Sometimes it can be more difficult playing against 10, but the supporters remained calm.

“We tried to overload in the wide areas, with the fullback’s pushing on, going two on one which led space for the opening goal.”