Oldham 4 Swindon 0

Last updated : 26 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Oldham made sure of their place in the Second Division play-offs with a scintillating demolition job at Boundary Park.

They scored twice in each half against a Swindon team who were never at the races and drew fierce criticism from manager Andy King.

The Latics went in front after 27 minutes through Josh Low and never looked back in a second successive 4-0 home victory.

Boss Iain Dowie was delighted with his players and sent out a defiant message before the end of season drama.

"I don't care who we get in the play-offs because we can beat any team in this League," he said.

"We haven't achieved anything yet other than proving that we are one of the best sides in Division Two, but the play-offs are an achievement in themselves.

"We've had all sorts of problems off the pitch but the players have never lost their focus. That's the way it has to stay and I know they want promotion as much as I do." By contrast, King said: "We were a team without much to play for against a team going for promotion and it showed.

"We didn't compete or pass the ball properly. We gave Oldham a gift and I have had strong words in the dressing room." The game was fairly even until Low got on the end of a cross by Chris Armstrong to slide in the opener from close range.

Three minutes later Low turned provider as his cross from the right was smashed in at the near post by David Eyres, for his 15th goal of the season.

Oldham stayed in control but had a scare after 73 minutes when their former loan striker Sam Parkin headed against the bar from an Andy Gurney centre.

Their response was another two-goal salvo. First, defender Will Haining forced a header just over the line from eight yards. Then Canadian substitute Carlo Corazzin tapped into the unguarded net after excellent build up play by Fitz Hall and Paul Murray.