Oldham Athletic 2 Wrexham 3

Last updated : 10 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Hector Sam bagged a brilliant hat-trick as Wrexham forgot their off-field problems to make it two league wins out of two.

The Red Dragons, who could face a winding-up order from the Inland Revenue next week had to hang on for their victory when Oldham staged a fight-back from 3-0 down but Sam's magic had given the home side too much to do - and Oldham are still waiting for their first point of the season.

Sam wasted no time in beginning his one-man show as he collected the ball on the edge of the box and beat his marker before firing low into the far corner from 16 yards.

Oldham answered back when Scott Vernon headed off target but they were caught napping by a free-kick on 23 minutes.

Darren Ferguson swung in a cross from the right and Sam was left unmarked eight yards out to steer a backwards header inside the far post.

And he nearly completed his treble before the break when diving in and heading just over from a Steve Roberts cross.

Adam Griffin fired wide as Oldham finally improved thanks to a double substitution but Sam killed them off just past the hour-mark.

He chased a long ball from defence, darted inside onto his right foot and slotted past Leslie Pogliacomi in the Oldham goal from ten yards.

Oldham substitute Danny Boshell pulled one back eight minutes later by cracking a powerful shot past Andy Dibble from 20 yards before another substitute, David Eyres, set up Rodney Jack for a simple header six yards out.

Oldham pressed in a hectic finish but Wrexham held out well.