CARL Piergianni was linked with a move away from Boundary Park in the build-up to this Papa John’s Trophy tie against his old side.

The Latics captain has come in for some criticism this season during a four-game losing start to the League Two campaign.

But in the last two fixtures alone the central defender has proved his value - and his importance - to this Oldham team.

For not only does Piergianni work tirelessly to defend his own goal, he offers a threat in the opposition’s box too.

There have been numerous occasions this season that the 29-year-old has come close to scoring.

On Saturday, it all came together as he inspired the club’s first league win of the season with the equalising goal at Sutton United before Junior Luamba secured a late, late win.

Recent signing Faysal Bettache was on corner duties and picked out Piergianni, whose header went in off the post.

And here it was almost a carbon copy of the goal to that set Latics on the way to their first League Two win of the season. It was just the execution that was slightly different as Piergianni headed home Bettache’s delivery at the far left post, from close range. And it as enough to seal three wins in a week.

An experienced, no-nonsense defender, Piergianni gives his all, which is one of the reasons why Mansfield made Latics an offer, and why it was turned down. But his impact on the side does not just boil down to what he offers on the pitch, it is the leadership skills he displays in the dressing room and on the training field.

Ask any of the younger players, those who have come through the ranks and those who have been brought in, and they will tell you what a mentor he is and example he sets, how he advises them and guides them and helps their development within the first team environment.

Those qualities are simply priceless.

And they would have been invaluable to 17-year-old left back Benny Couto, playing alongside Piergianni and Kyle Jameson in the back four on his Latics debut.

The second year scholar, who was one of six changes to the Latics line-up, is the latest youth team product to be fast tracked to the first team. And he impressed on his senior bow - getting forward to good effect when the situation arose, but also defending diligently.

But in attacking situations is where the teenager really caught the eye. He looked confident and wanted to get on the ball.

There was a lovely little exchange between Couto and QPR loanee Bettache down the left channel, but Couto couldn’t quite muster the final ball.

But the move helped Latics build momentum in the minutes before the break.

Jamie Bowden linked with Davis-Keillor Dunn soon after and was caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot from the right of the box.

The chance went begging for Bowden, but it created another as Piergianni nodded Latics in front against his old club.

Salford saw more of the ball in the second half and Jayson Leutwiler was called into action once or twice on his home debut, but while Hayden Campbell caused problems after coming off the bench and hit a post, the Latics goalkeeper was never overstretched in terms of saves and Piergianni’s first half goal was enough to seal the win.