PAUL Scholes admitted life in the Latics dugout has been tough of late as he watched Oldham slip to their sixth consecutive game without a win, losing 2-0 at Lincoln City on Tuesday.

An impressive start from the visitors saw the league leaders pegged back, but goals from Harry Toffolo and Danny Rowe, either side of Jose Baxter’s straight red card, took the wind from Oldham’s sails.

With the defeat leaving them nine points off the play-off places, Scholes was left dejected as his side failed to regain a semblance of form ahead of a busy close to the season.

“It has been a tough month in charge, the first game was all right. It has been difficult, we have not won for six games and there are different challenges,” he said.

“It is difficult; it is not good when you have not won in six games. It is not something you want, and it is something we have to try and change.

“I knew it was going to be difficult, I am not stupid. Whether it is Man United or Oldham it is a difficult job.”

Latics had the better of the opening exchanges and were left to rue missed chances when Baxter twice went close, before Mohammed Maouche saw his strike from distance saved by Matt Gilks.

But Lincoln weathered the early storm, with Toffolo giving them the lead after a well-worked move.

Oldham’s task was made all the more daunting when Baxter saw red for a late tackle on Harry Anderson just before the break, with Lincoln making the most of their advantage when Rowe sealed the points with 58 minutes gone.

And things were made worse for Scholes, with the loss of 21-year-old forward Oladapo Afolayan, who limped off after 44 minutes.

“I really like him because he has got energy and can run at people and beat a man,” he continued.

“I am not sure what is going to happen to him for the rest of the season, it is too early to say. We will look after him in the next couple of days and take it from there.

“We tried to go for it, but we couldn’t get up the pitch really. It was always going to be difficult.

“I wanted two people up front, to try and get a goal and make them nervous but it didn’t happen.”