Hartlepool enjoyed the perfect build up to their FA Cup clash with Sunderland next week as goals from Eifion Williams and Joel Porter inspired them to victory at Boundary Park.
The north-east side lost their unbeaten home record on Boxing Day but they showed strong character to bounce back for three vital points in the bid for a play off spot.
They were always the better side as Oldham, who had shocked high flying QPR in their last home match fell back to earth with a bump.
Oldham, continuing the search for Iain Dowie's replacement as manager, were never at the races.
Caretaker boss John Sheridan admitted: "We did not perform from the word go and in the end Hartlepool deserved to win the game.
"It's very upsetting for myself, the players and the fans but we will be ready to respond well on Saturday and get this result out of out system." Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper hailed his team, saying: "It was a fantastic performance and we deserved a win after being unlucky in our last couple of games.
"It's one of the best displays we have put in this season and apart from one header from Oldham in the first half we looked like the home team.
"I'm delighted for Eifion Williams because he always works hard. And it was good for Joel to get on the scoresheet as well. His shot took a deflection but that sort of thing can happen when you are willing to have a go." Hartlepool were lively from the start and went close twice in the first seven minutes as Chris Shuker was blocked in the six yard box and Chris Westwood had his header cleared off the line by Adam Griffin.
Oldham's closet call came when Jermaine Johnson forced a good low save by Pool keeper Jim Provett.
But Hartlepool led on the stroke of half time as Shuker crossed and Williams pounced on bad defending to shoot home from six yards.
Ernest Cooksey missed with a close range header for Oldham but their defeat was sealed on 79 minutes when Porter's shot from 20 yards went in via a heavy deflection.