Frank Rothwell rowed from Whitby to Scarborough and back the day before Latics took on Gateshead.

The North Sea was relatively calm as preparations for his latest solo row across the Atlantic, to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK, stepped up a notch.

Closer to home, there are choppier waters to navigate as Latics fans voice their displeasure on a start to the season that has gleaned just one win from their opening seven games, after twice letting the lead slip at the Gateshead International Stadium.

Since completing the club takeover more than a year ago, Rothwell and his family have steadied, and repaired, what was a shipwreck of a club; one that had sunk to the depths of the Football League and washed up in non-league for the first time in their history.

After making David Unsworth their first managerial appointment almost exactly a year ago, the former Everton defender described the task faced by everyone at the club as "trying to turn around the biggest oil tanker".

Come the end of last season the ship had not just been steadied but the bow of it was pointing in the right direction after ending the campaign on a six-game unbeaten run that included four consecutive wins.

That momentum, however, has not been transferred into the new season, and Latics - pre-season favourites for promotion - are treading water in 18th place, just one point above the bottom four.

Growing discontent at their current situation prompted Rothwell to address the 431 travelling fans before the game to diffuse what had the potential to be an agitated atmosphere, while they wait for the investment into the squad to live up to expectations through results.

"David Unsworth loves this club," Rothwell told the gathered supporters before kick-off.

"There's nobody more disappointed when the results don't go his way.

"My family and myself bought this club, we are supporters of this club, and we can't do it without you. All of you."

The chairman then spent the rest of the game with them, collectively willing that first away win.

Shaun Hobson was restored to the starting line-up, at centre half alongside captain Liam Hogan and in place of Charlie Raglan, who was named on the bench, and the former Southend defender - in his preferred centre half position - helped lay the platform with some solid defensive work for Latics to take the lead just before the half-hour.

It was a slow-motion goal, as Brennan Dickenson poked Devarn Green's cross on target, goalkeeper Archie Mair got a hand to it but not enough to keep it out and it spun over the line.

Latics took their slender lead into the break, after Green and James Norwood missed chances to build on it, while Dickenson went close to a second on the stroke of half-time.

Green then had another good opportunity before the hour, but after Mair saved well, Gateshead countered quickly and levelled through substitute Jordan Hunter, whose shot got the better of Mat Hudson a minute after coming off the bench.

Liam Hogan was looking to have an impact in both boxes as Latics looked to get back in front, but headed Dickenson's free kick straight at the keeper.

Oldham were forced into a change soon. Dan Gardner had been influential in midfield but a groin strain brought an end to his evening and Kurt Willoughby had an impact when he replaced him, crossing for Green who had a shot saved before Willoughby forced a corner from the follow-up.

And from there Latics were back in front. Hogan saw an initial header bounce off the crossbar but the ball was returned by Dickenson and Hogan's drilled shot was deflected past Mair, who got a touch but again couldn't keep it out.

They pushed for a third, and substitute Alex Reid was unlucky not to deliver it, but their forward thinking they left themselves exposed at the back. Will Sutton had been struggling with cramp, but was left isolated against two forwards when Hobson was caught too high upfield, and Stephen Wearne side-footed home.

Latics couldn't see the game out, and Mark Shelton didn't see the end after seeing red for two bookable offences.