Curle relief as Keillor makes it a Dunn deal

DELIGHTED boss Keith Curle saluted the reaction of his Oldham side as they fought off a fightback from Colchester before sealing an emphatic victory.

The Latics appeared to be cruising at 3-0 up by the hour mark after a Conor McAleny penalty and goals apiece from Alfie McCalmont and Carl Piergianni.

But Colchester grabbed two back via Frank Nouble and Tom Eastman, before Davis Keillor-Dunn notched two very late goals to settle any nerves.

Curle said: “I was really pleased with the way we played. There was some great attacking football from us.

“I was disappointed with the way we conceded the two to let them back in, but overall the reaction at the end was brilliant.”

Curle was a little less delighted with Oldham’s second goal from McCalmont as his free-kick routine had clearly been rehearsed as five teammates danced about in front of keeper Dean Gerken before the ball flew in.

“(Coach) Paul Butler brought up the idea because they did it at Leeds when he was there,” he added.

“I’m a bit sceptical about it if I’m honest, but set-pieces are a massive part.”

Oldham’s Dylan Bahamboula twice went close in the early stages, before his side took the lead eight minutes before the break. McAleny slotted home his 19th goal of the season from the spot after Eastman tripped Keillor-Dunn.

McCalmont then doubled Oldham’s lead, curling a freekick in via a post.

Piergianni made it three in the 56th minute, smashing into the roof of the net after a corner wasn’t cleared.

Minutes later Bahamboula smashed a shot against a post, while Colchester skipper Harry Pell did likewise.

Nouble reduced Colchester’s deficit when he notched a fine solo goal, before Eastman’s long-range thunderbolt gave the visitors hope. However, two close-range finishes from Keillor-Dunn settled any nerves.

The U’s interim boss Hayden Mullins said: “We were up against it by halftime, so I had a word with the lads, they knew we needed a response. We saw that. We got a couple of goals back and we were inches away from making it 3-3.

“The fourth and fifth goals were cruel, but that can happen when chasing.”