OLDHAM might be dreaming of a play-off push after their third win on the spin but defender Peter Clarke knows better than to get too carried away.

The 37-year-old has seen it all, and then some, in his 20-year career in the professional game.

And while the centre-back was pleased with the clean sheet in their 2-0 win against Colchester United that lifts them to 11th in the standings, there is much still to be done.

They sit five points off the play-off spots but have won three on the spin for the first time since 2017.

“As a defender, you’re always delighted with the clean sheet,” said Clarke.

“We’ve had to withstand a fair amount of pressure but we’ve put our bodies on the line.

“That’s what we’re here to do but the boys all put in a real shift, everyone on the pitch.

“All of the starting XI, plus the boys who came on, did really well.

“We have ticked off another one from the games remaining and now we’ll focus on Swindon next Saturday.

“We’re pleased with the week we’ve had and I know it’s a little bit of a cliché but we’re taking it one game at a time.

“There are still five or six games to go and we’re just going to concentrate on the forthcoming game, as we have done over the course of this week.”

Clarke was involved in the build-up to Latics’ early opener at Colchester, eventually scored by Alex Iacovitti.

Since Pete Wild took over as caretaker boss there has clearly been an upturn in form and fortunes for the Latics.

But the impact of Iacovitti has not gone unnoticed by Clarke

either.

“For the first goal, Langie (Callum Lang) has nodded it back and he’s done ever so well with the nod down,” he added.

“I’ve lashed it at goal and whether it was going in or not to be honest I don’t know but Alex (Iacovitti) has got the final touch.

“I’m not bothered whether it’s me or someone else who scores. To see it go in the back of the net was

brilliant.

“Alex has come in and he has been quite vocal.

“He knows the job and he’s come in and he’s settled in very quickly.

“I am sure he can be really pleased with the three performances that he has had in the last week or so.”