JOHN Sheridan said it was a day he will never forget and thanked supporters for the send-off he received, after bowing out of Boundary Park with a win.

Charlie Wellens' first senior goal secured a late 3-2 win for Latics, who took an early lead but ultimately had to come back from behind against Eastleigh to secure the three points.

Following a 3-0 defeat at Woking on Tuesday, it was announced on Thursday that Sheridan's sixth spell in charge of Oldham would come to an end after Saturday's game, giving fans the opportunity to show their appreciation.

And Latics supporters were on their feet and singing their repertoire of Shez songs as he conducted a lap of honour after the final whistle, leaving the 57-year-old emotional.

"I won't forget today. It's something that will live with me. I'm overwhelmed with the support they've given me," said Sheridan.

"I don't cry much but I nearly came to tears.

"The fans are unbelievable. They've supported me as a player and a manager, whenever I've been here. I've always, for some reason, got on with them and they get on with me.

"They are good supporters, they've had hard times as well.

"I just wish them all the luck in the world. I'll be coming back and supporting the team. I'll be here for the Wrexham game. I've been a supporter who was lucky enough to manage the team. I'm just a supporter now.

"I think a few of the lads will be well happy because they won't hear my voice shouting.

"Whoever the next manager or coach is gets them going because I think there's a good group of players there, if they stay fit and start picking one or two results up - they've got to believe and push each other."

He added: "It's a new beginning. By my own admission I'm too old school. It's a different game. I fully support what the club's going to try to do and hopefully they do it."

Luke Burgess got Latics off to a dream start in with his first goal for the club in the third minute, after good work by Ben Tollitt in the build-up. But they trailed 2-1 at the break after Danny Whitehall struck twice in nine minutes.

Mike Fondop scored his first of the season 10 minutes after coming off the bench as part of a triple substitution to get Sheridan's men back on level terms, before Wellens' wonderful finish in the 89th minute secured the points.

"I'm very pleased that we've won the game," Sheridan said.

"It was important, even though it's my last game I wanted to win the game, massively wanted to win the game - not just because I'm going but I think if you can win two or three games - I've just seen the results and there are some surprising results. You've just got to look after yourselves.

"Obviously it was a nice send-off, but I'm pleased for the players as much as anything.

"It's just a relief I think. We probably showed again, similar to many games we've had this season, we looked good and then do silly things to put ourselves under pressure or concede goals from nothing.

"The first goal was excellent, a little passage of football. All our goals were good.

"I'm overwhelmed with the reception I've got again off the supporters and I just thank them, not just for today but they've always supported me. They've even supported me when we've not been doing so well and not getting results that I would have liked.

"I'm a supporter of Oldham managing the football team. I've been here that long I just always want them to do well and achieve and win football matches more than anything else.

"The supporters feel that the club's going the right way and they just want a team that's going to give them something to really get carried away with."