BOSS Laurent Banide warned there is still plenty of work ahead after Oldham claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Cambridge United.

The three points lifted Latics out of the League Two relegation zone as they picked up a much-needed three points after a tough start to the campaign

Oldham’s first away goal of the campaign came through Urko Vera but it was cancelled out by Marc Richards before David Wheater nodded home from a corner to score his first goal since May 2018.

“It was important to win. It’s good for our confidence and we need to continue,” Banide said.

“When you have a good result, you need to continue and work more, because it is important to look for quality and improve.

“We have a lot of potential to improve and we need to concentrate.

“We won, but we must now forget it and think about the next game. Each game is another story, each game we start at zero and we must play well.”

Cambridge, who looked in a confident mood after their unbeaten start to the season, began the game with a spring in their step and totally dominated the early stages, with Luke Hannant at the heart of everything good for the hosts.

The U's winger whipped over a dangerous cross in the fourth minute, before teeing up Liam O'Neil just before the quarter-hour mark, but his arrowed effort sailed narrowly wide.

Oldham had their backs up against the wall but took the lead totally against the run of play with their first meaningful attack of the afternoon.

Chris Eagles picked out Vera, who's initial header was wonderfully saved by Dimitar Mitov from close-range, but the striker reacted first to bundle the ball over the line at the second time of asking.

Cambridge almost levelled immediately, but O'Neil was superbly denied by Gary Woods from point-blank range after good work from Sam Smith.

However, less than a minute later the U's got a deserved equaliser when Paul Lewis, who looked to have been hauled down in the box, got to his feet before crossing for Richards, who neatly controlled before lashing home on the turn.

Leon Davies then struck the crossbar with a guided effort just before the break as Cambridge went in search of their second, before Woods needed to be at his best to prevent a Smith free-kick from creeping in.

Oldham came out for the second period with much more impetus and won it thanks to Wheater's glancing header from Mohamed Maouche's 67th minute corner.

Woods was forced into another sharp save in the closing stages, tipping substitute Harvey Knibb's goal-bound strike over the bar after a fine cross from Davies on the right and despite some late Cambridge pressure, Latics held on for the win.

Banide highlighted the importance of Wheater and Woods in helping Oldham secure their victory.

“We worked well, we have David [Wheater] and Gary [Woods] who helped the team a lot and today [Mohamed] Maouche helped the team keep the ball,” the Frenchman added.

“We have some young players but they worked well and they are improving game after game.

“He [Woods] played very well.  He helps the team a lot and gives them confidence, like David, who is a very key player.

“The goal was the right person at the right time, David takes a lot of balls on the head.

“It's amazing because when the ball arrives, he takes it on the head and every time he has a good position. It's good and we need to continue.”

Cambridge United (3-5-2): Mitov, Darling, Taylor, Taft, Davies, O'Neil (Roles 58), Lewis, Maris (Lambe 70), Hannant, Smith (Knibbs 70), Richards.

Subs not used: Burton, Dallas, Dunk, John.

Oldham (4-5-1): Woods 8, Hamer 7, Iacovitti 7, Wheater 8, Smith-Brown 7, Nepomuceno 7 (Branger 64, 6), Maouche 6, Missilou 7, Fage 6, Eagles 6 (Segbe Azankpo 55, 6), Vera 7 (Sylla 55, 6)

Subs not used: Zabret, Mills, Stott, Wilson.

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 4,004 (220 away)