Oldham Athletic 1 MK Dons 0

“I’M buzzing with the result, but I hated every minute of that,” was Latics manager Richie Wellens’ verdict as Latics went three unbeaten on Tuesday night to hoist themselves out of the drop zone. 
A thumping Anthony Gerrard header five minutes before the break proved decisive on a night for bobble hats – and bobbles – at Boundary Park. 
Wellens said: “The pitch is shocking. The players applied themselves in the right way, their attitude was spot on.
“We played the conditions better and caused more problems – it’s not nice to watch at times, but we’ve won the last two home games and that’s all what matters in our position.”
Skipper Gerrard led by example to power home Ben Pringle’s right-sided corner and make it seven points from the last nine as Athletic saw off a poor MK Dons side.
The captain said: “It was great to get the goal, it wasn’t pretty, but it’s three points and a clean sheet.”
Gerrard explained why he was forced to play through the pain barrier for the majority of the match.
“I’m stiff as a board – I felt a twinge in my Achilles straight after the goal,” he added. “Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious.”
Wellens made one change to the XI which started at Ewood Park on Saturday. With Brian Wilson ill, Gevaro Nepomuceno replaced suspended Wilfried Moimbe.
After a couple of early let-offs, Athletic thought they were in front on 21 minutes. Kean Bryan headed home Jack Byrne’s inviting free kick from the left only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations. 
The signs were there for the home side. 
Byrne had earlier seen a stinging shot parried by Dons goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, but Craig Davies could only send the rebound wide.
Athletic were growing in confidence, keeping possession, gaining momentum. And the pressure paid off five minutes before half time.
When Pringle swung in a lovely corner from the right, Gerrard was up highest with the header to give Latics the lead. 
Wellens’ men were still some way off their scintillating best but good value for their advantage. 
Crucially, they were getting the job done.
Duckens Nazon latched on to a raking Byrne cross-field pass at the start of the second half but the menacing forward’s shot hit a defender and sailed agonisingly over the bar. Dan Gardner’s low drive from the resulting corner whistled wide.
Again, it was Latics asking all the questions without putting the game to bed.
A late Dons corner did nothing for the nerves. When Amadi-Holloway broke away from the clearance, he raced in on goal from halfway but was thwarted by the uneven surface as he was about to pull the trigger.
In the end, a few bobbles didn’t matter, as Latics saw things out to thaw relegation fears.