CARETAKER boss Richie Wellens must think this management lark is easy – lifting Latics off the foot of the table at the first time of asking.

Making five changes to the starting line-up in the wake of Saturday’s 5-1 capitulation at Rotherham, the former midfield general saw instant results as Latics fired back in some style.

Out went on-loan Wolves goalkeeper Jack Ruddy, along with George Edmundson, Anthony Gerrard, Tope Obadeyi and the hamstrung Ryan McLaughlin.

Brian Wilson, Ousmane Fane and Rob Hunt won recalls with Johny Placide making his debut in goal. Kean Bryan was employed on the left side of a back three with Clarke and Wilson.

Eoin Doyle regained his place alongside top scorer Craig Davies up front after serving a one-match ban on Saturday.

In the post-Sheridan era, it didn’t take long for the new ’keeper to be tested – smartly tipping over a Marcus Maddison free kick after only four minutes as the visitors threatened to show why they’re riding high in the League One table.

At the other end Davies was proving a handful, winning a free kick on eight minutes which saw Jack Byrne fizz over the bar.

Latics were looking lively, Doyle failing to fully connect with a header two minutes later from a left-sided Nepumeceno centre. Another cross from the wide man almost paid dividends on 16 minutes forcing Jonathan Bond in the Posh goal to tip round the post.

Placide – who has all the style of someone with a bit of the cult hero status about him already – was proving adept at racing off his line and did so to good effect when a mis-placed backpass from Bryan almost proved costly.

In the first of six minutes of time added on at the end of the first half following an injury to Junior Morias, Doyle almost threaded Davies through on goal but his delicate ball was cut out.

Latics had a let off at the start of the second half when a low Jack Marriott daisy-cutter came back of the post following a swift Posh counter attack.

Then came the breakthrough . . . and the drama.

When Jack Byrne’s wicked looking shot was only parried by Bond on 51 minutes, Doyle was on hand to tuck away the rebound - a real poacher’s effort from the wily on-loan Preston man.

Just seven minutes later Maddison raced clear on goal only for Wilson to bundle him over. A clear penalty – and a red card for Wilson.

Up stepped that man Maddison to stroke home high into the roof of the net.

Davies was sacrificed soon after as 10-man Latics left Doyle to toil on his own up front – Dummigan switching to the back three.

Posh penalty claims were waved away on 73 minutes as Latics battled manfully to stem the tide.

By now this one had something of the Alamo about it and Placide did well to keep out a fierce Ricky Miller drive.

Latics weren’t done though and despite their one-man disadvantage, Doyle raced clear on the break and squared it to Dan Gardner who finished neatly into the corner.

And with five minutes to go Latics made it three when Doyle connected with substitute Omrani’s cross from the left.

That, it seemed, would be that.

When eight minutes of added time were signalled, however, you had a feeling this one could yet have a late twist.

Marriott made it 3-2 after a goalmouth scramble in the second of the allotted additional time. Nerves jangled. Latics held out.

Oldham Athletic 3-2 Peterborough

LATICS (3-5-2): Placide, Brian Wilson, Clarke, Bryan; Nepumeceno (Dummigan 59), Hunt, Gardner, Fane, Byrne; (Omrani 80), Davies (Banks 62), Doyle. Subs not used: Ruddy, Gerrard, Menig, Obadeyi.

Peterborough: Bond, Shephard (Da Silva Lopes 59), Hughes, Tafazolli, Baldwin (Miller 70), Forrester, Maddison, Marriott, Morias (Kanu 37), Doughty, Taylor. Subs not used: O’Malley, Lloyd, Penny, Anderson.

Attendance: 2,975 (no figure given for away fans)