GEORGE Edmundson insists Latics will cut out their habit of starting games slowly, following Saturday’s half-time blast from Frankie Bunn.

The manager’s dressing-down had the desired effect as Latics came from behind to beat visitors Cambridge United 3-1.

In a much-improved second-half performance, Edmundson levelled just after the hour mark to cancel out George Maris’ seventh-minute opener.

Jordan Lyden and Callum Lang scored to seal a victory that gave Oldham a much-needed three points after defeats at Northampton and Stevenage and a point from their trip to Notts County.

Defender Edmundson said: “We weren’t at the races in the first half. Everything the gaffer said to do, we didn’t.

“We weren’t winning second balls, the passing wasn’t great and the gaffer gave it to us at half time and got a reaction. In the second half, we did everything with more energy.

“We were getting to players, putting tackles in – which we weren’t doing in the first-half – winning headers and just putting ourselves about.

“It wasn’t our ability. We just worked harder, plain and simple.”

Saturday’s victory meant Latics – who also had to stage a fightback in the FA Cup first-round tie at National League South side Hampton and Richmond – remain rooted in mid-table ahead of this weekend’s league fixture at Tranmere Rovers.

And Edmundson says they are all pulling in the same direction as they bid to climb the table and put themselves in contention for a tilt at reaching the play-off places.

“Team spirit is good, we were all having a little dance in the changing room,” he added after Saturday’s win. “But even when we’ve lost or drawn, the team spirit has never been lost.

“It’s just the last three performances have been really good and we’re just starting to see everything coming into place.”

n Latics have been drawn away to local rivals Rochdale in the second round of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Bunn’s men, who qualified as runners-up to Barnsley in Group F, will travel to Dale for the tie in the week commencing December 3.