PETER Clarke believes Oldham’s convincing win against local rivals Bury proves they are in a false position in the League Two table.

The Latics beat their local rivals 4-2 thanks to a Chris O’Grady hat-trick and a Sam Surridge strike and leaves Frankie Bunn’s men in 10th.

And while Clarke – who had two spells at Bury in his career – would like to see Oldham higher in the table, he believes they will start to climb the league in the second half of the season.

He said: “I still think our position in the table is a little bit false.

“We could have had a few more points than we’ve currently got, undoubtedly.

“Whether that’s down to missing out on a little bit of luck I’m not sure.

“We are where we are though, and I believe we’ve got a terrific group of lads who constantly show a real togetherness – and that goes for the players and the staff as well.

“That was clear for everyone to see against Bury.

“We all believe we’re going to move up the division during the rest of the season, rather than down it.”

Oldham got off to a flyer when O’Grady gave them an eighth-minute lead, volleying in from 12 yards after Sam Surridge’s clever pull-back.

The advantage was doubled two minutes later as Gevaro Nepomuceno crossed to the far post and Surridge converted with a looping header.

Bury were punished for a third time just after the half-hour when Nepomuceno’s through-ball sent O’Grady racing clear to beat goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Shakers boss Ryan Lowe made a double change at the break and substitute Caolan Lavery gave them hope by sliding in a Nicky Adams cross just 25 seconds after the restart.

Lavery soon struck again from another Adams assist, but Oldham made it 4-2 after 62 minutes when O’Grady’s hat-trick goal was allowed to stand.