Josef Yarney says Latics must prioritise making Boundary Park a difficult place to play if they are to propel themselves up the National League table.

Oldham climbed out of the bottom four by virtue of a New Year's Day draw with then leaders Notts County and gained ground with their first back-to-back league wins of the season, including a first away win of the campaign.

The unbeaten run was maintained with a 1-1 draw at Aldershot.

But as they return to home soil and embark on a run of four consecutive games at OL1, Yarney insists they must make home advantage count.

"We want to make it a fortress here, if we can do that, get clean sheets and score goals that's the best we can do," said the defender, who has signed an 18-month deal.

"It's been a good platform to build on so far this year.

"The 2-0 win in the last home game, hopefully we can build on that and push on."

Yarney - a recent addition to the side as a free agent - was instrumental at both ends of the pitch against York City in their last home game.

The defender, who previously worked with Latics boss David Unsworth in the Everton Academy, scored the opening goal against the Minstermen and impressed at centre back, in the absence of the suspended Peter Clarke, to earn a clean sheet - so much so, he kept his place in an unchanged line-up at Aldershot on Saturday.

"I prefer playing at centre back. I'm a centre back, but I can play at right back as well or the right of a three - anywhere along the back four really.

"We were working with the partnership with Hogs and it worked well. I felt comfortable.

"Hopefully we can keep the run going, that's the plan."

But Yarney says they must also be mindful of the conditions, with the Boundary Park pitch taking a battering from cold and wet weather in recent weeks.

"It's been through a lot with the frozen pitches and then obviously it thaws out. It wasn't the best (against York) but we got the result and that's the main thing," said the 25-year-old, who signed terms with Latics last month after impressing on trial.

"We're just going to have to adapt to it and get the wins. That's the vital thing, wherever we are in the table, just get wins.

"We need to push on. This club shouldn't be in this league so one of my goals while I'm here is to get the club back to where it should be."

Of Saturday's visit of Halifax, who have lost four of their last five league games, Latics boss Unsworth said: "They've hit a bad run of form but it's a local-ish derby so I think they'll bring a few fans and it will be a great atmosphere and they'll be up for it.

"We should have won at their place. How we lost I'll never know.

"Our backing that day was amazing. I can't call it a highlight because we didn't win but it was an unbelievable following. We had more fans than they did.

"It will be a tough game but I hope we can continue our recent performances and they'll definitely know they've been in a game."