Match ends, Oldham Athletic 1, Gillingham 0.
OldhamOldham Athletic1GillinghamGillingham0
Oldham earned a much-needed 1-0 win against Gillingham in a battle of two teams under new management.
John Sheridan tasted victory at the start of his third spell as Latics boss, while Gillingham were playing their first game since Adrian Pennock replaced the sacked Justin Edinburgh.
The visitors almost grabbed an early opener when Chris Herd's goalbound shot was blocked by Oldham captain Peter Clarke.
But the hosts broke through on 39 minutes when Billy McKay was fouled just outside the box and, from the resulting free-kick, Josh Law cracked an unstoppable drive high into the net.
It was the first league goal at home since mid-October for the EFL's lowest scorers, although they needed Connor Ripley to protect the lead before half-time with a smart save from Max Ehmer.
Lee Erwin could have made it 2-0 after a mazy run, but his low shot drifted wide, while McKay and Law were next to threaten the visitors' goal, both forcing saves from keeper Stuart Nelson.
Law hit the bar in injury time as Oldham pressed for a second goal, but the Latics held on for the narrow victory which ended their 10-match winless run and moved them off the foot of the table.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Oldham
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Ripley
- 15Edmundson
- 4WilsonBooked at 70mins
- 26Clarke
- 27McLaughlin
- 24Fane
- 7Flynn
- 2Law
- 16Dummigan
- 19ErwinSubstituted forOseiat 60'minutesSubstituted forGlackinat 88'minutes
- 9MckaySubstituted forGreenat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Reckord
- 8Banks
- 13Kettings
- 18Osei
- 28Green
- 32King
- 33Glackin
Gillingham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Nelson
- 12KoncheskyBooked at 38mins
- 4HerdSubstituted forOsadebeat 71'minutes
- 5Ehmer
- 2Jackson
- 21ListSubstituted forDonnellyat 68'minutes
- 44Wright
- 11Knott
- 7Wagstaff
- 23DackBooked at 89mins
- 50Emmanuel-ThomasSubstituted forMcDonaldat 60'minutesBooked at 82mins
Substitutes
- 9Donnelly
- 10McDonald
- 13Hadler
- 16Osadebe
- 20Oldaker
- 22Dickenson
- 33Byrne
- Referee:
- Dean Whitestone
- Attendance:
- 3,475
Match Stats
Home TeamOldhamAway TeamGillingham
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away7
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oldham Athletic 1, Gillingham 0.
Post update
Josh Law (Oldham Athletic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
Post update
Attempt saved. Billy Knott (Gillingham) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt saved. Bradley Dack (Gillingham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Booking
Bradley Dack (Gillingham) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Bradley Dack (Gillingham) has gone down, but that's a dive.
Substitution
Substitution, Oldham Athletic. Brendy Glackin replaces Darius Osei.
Post update
Corner, Oldham Athletic. Conceded by Paul Konchesky.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan McLaughlin (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Peter Clarke (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Oldham Athletic. Conceded by Emmanuel Osadebe.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Brian Wilson (Oldham Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Cody McDonald (Gillingham) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Cody McDonald (Gillingham).
Post update
Josh Law (Oldham Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Oldham Athletic. Paul Green replaces Billy McKay.
Post update
Corner, Oldham Athletic. Conceded by Paul Konchesky.
Post update
Foul by Scott Wagstaff (Gillingham).
Post update
Ousmane Fane (Oldham Athletic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Match report to follow.
