Brian Talbot wielded the axe as Danny Hall replaced Mark Arber and Kelvin Lomax came in for Adam Griffin in defence while David Lee started in midfield with Scott Vernon and Matty Barlow up front. The Latics started well enough and looked determined to put in a better showing than of late but things went wrong in the 13th. minute when Les Pogliacomi gave away a corner. From the resultant kick Roberts volleyed in from 10 yards. In the 35th. minute Kevin Betsy (pictured) was unlucky when he saw his powerful shot go just wide.Swindon Town 1 Oldham Athletic 0
Brian Talbot wielded the axe as Danny Hall replaced Mark Arber and Kelvin Lomax came in for Adam Griffin in defence while David Lee started in midfield with Scott Vernon and Matty Barlow up front. The Latics started well enough and looked determined to put in a better showing than of late but things went wrong in the 13th. minute when Les Pogliacomi gave away a corner. From the resultant kick Roberts volleyed in from 10 yards. In the 35th. minute Kevin Betsy (pictured) was unlucky when he saw his powerful shot go just wide.Vernon had his shot flicked over in the sixth minute of the second half and then minutes later the Swindon keeper foiled him again when he saved a point blank effort. In the 72nd. minute Betsy’s strike sailed over the bar but five minutes from time Swindon should have scored again but for Will Haining who deflected a shot off the line.
Manager Talbot commented, “I thought that it was better. I was pleased with how we played today. Obviously I'm disappointed to have lost, but players that come in have responded well. It was a battling performance. Unfortunately a set piece has cost us the game again but I think overall we worked hard. The changes I made I can't say were successful because we lost but we looked more solid at the back and we battled hard. If I'm being critical, we didn't cause them enough problems but we did have a chance second half which the 'keeper saved and maybe with a better touch, Scott would have scored. It didn't happen and we lost 1-0.”
The result plunged Athletic into a relegation spot and although the performance was better they need to start picking up points before it’s too late, and they are dragged into the dogfight to remain in the division.