Oldham struck two second-half goals against Crewe to secure their first League One victory in five games.

Crewe keeper Alan Martin kept his side in it before the break with a string of fine saves, while Matt Derbyshire also had a goal disallowed for offside.

But the visitors took a deserved lead when substitute James Tarkowski powered home an unmarked far-post header from Lee Croft's deep corner.

And Derbyshire bundled in a close-range second from Cristian Montano's cross.

The closest Crewe came to scoring was an early header against the post from manager's son Harry Davis, while Luke Murphy clipped the bar with a 20-yard free-kick in injury time.

Steve Davis's side drop three places to 18th, having not won in six games, while Oldham climb to 19th.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Crewe manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:

"That is probably the worst we have played at home for about a year. We never got going and were second best on the night. We had too many players below par and Oldham worked hard for their manager.

"Our keeper Alan Martin kept us in the game in the first half. He was one who could be proud of his performance.

"I've always said we're going to have some blips because every game at this level is an education for our young players. Saying that, they know they've got to be better than that. Now it is about how they react."

Oldham Athletic manager Paul Dickov told BBC Radio Manchester:

"That's how we know we can play, and as good as we were with the ball, I thought we were excellent without it.

"We've not been winning games, but for long periods in games we've been playing well.

"The one thing we've had to do is keep the belief in the team and individuals.

"It was a fantastic performance, but we have to draw a line under this and not get too carried away because we've got a tough game on Saturday."

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (4)

Crewe Alexandra

  • 13 Martin
  • 03 Davis
  • 05 Ellis
  • 14 Mellor
  • 15 Robertson
  • 02 Tootle (M Clayton - 61' )
  • 08 Murphy
  • 09 Pogba
  • 28 Bond
  • 10 Leitch-Smith
  • 26 Aneke (Daniels - 79' )

Substitutes

  • 21 Garratt
  • 12 Turton
  • 16 Guthrie
  • 17 Ray
  • 29 Waters
  • 07 M Clayton
  • 18 Daniels

Oldham Athletic

  • 13 Bouzanis
  • 03 Grounds
  • 05 Mvoto (Tarkowski - 44' )
  • 16 Byrne
  • 23 Wabara
  • 04 Wesolowski
  • 07 Croft
  • 08 Furman
  • 11 Montano
  • 09 Derbyshire
  • 20 Baxter (Simpson - 68' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Cisak
  • 02 Brown
  • 06 Tarkowski
  • 22 M'changama
  • 24 Hughes
  • 10 Simpson
  • 14 Smith
Ref: Haywood
Att: 3,935

Match Stats

Shots

6 17

On target

1 10

Corners

2 6

Fouls

6 14

Live Text Commentary

93:10 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +0:25

Luke Murphy fouled by Jonathan Grounds, the ref awards a free kick. Luke Murphy has an effort direct from the free kick,

90:00 +0:25

Unfair challenge on Luke Murphy by Jonathan Grounds results in a free kick. Max Clayton takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:12

Max Clayton takes a shot. Blocked by James Tarkowski.

89:22

Kelvin Mellor sends in a cross, clearance made by James Tarkowski.

88:08

James Wesolowski gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Luke Murphy. Alan Martin restarts play with the free kick.

87:31

Shot on goal by Cristian Montano from just inside the area goes over the target.

87:15

Lee Croft challenges Gregor Robertson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gregor Robertson.

86:07

Shot from long distance by James Wesolowski goes wide of the left-hand upright.

82:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Max Clayton by Reece Wabara. Free kick crossed right-footed by Gregor Robertson.

82:22

Foul by Robbie Simpson on Mark Ellis, free kick awarded. Alan Martin takes the direct free kick.

81:14

Effort from outside the penalty area by Luke Murphy goes wide left of the target.

81:05

The ball is crossed by Luke Murphy, clearance by James Tarkowski.

79:47

Jonathan Grounds gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Brendon Daniels. Free kick taken by Gregor Robertson.

78:10

Assist by Cristian Montano.

78:10 Goal scored

Goal - Matt Derbyshire - Crewe 0 - 2 Oldham Matt Derbyshire finds the net with a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Crewe 0-2 Oldham.

78:10 Substitution

Substitution Brendon Daniels comes on in place of Chuks Aneke.

77:08

The ball is swung over by Chuks Aneke, Dean Bouzanis makes a save.

76:07

James Wesolowski concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Murphy. Alan Martin takes the direct free kick.

75:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Cliff Byrne by Luke Murphy. Dean Bouzanis takes the free kick.

73:25

The ball is delivered by Robbie Simpson, clearance made by Mark Ellis.

72:49

The official flags Matt Derbyshire offside. Alan Martin takes the free kick.

70:21

A cross is delivered by Cristian Montano.

69:23

The referee blows for offside against Matt Derbyshire. Alan Martin takes the indirect free kick.

67:53 Substitution

Substitution Jose Baxter goes off and Robbie Simpson comes on.

64:57

Reece Wabara sends in a cross, clearance made by Kelvin Mellor.

63:19

Matt Derbyshire gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Ellis. Free kick taken by Alan Martin.

62:35

Cristian Montano has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide left of the target.

60:07 Substitution

Substitution Matt Tootle leaves the field to be replaced by Max Clayton.

60:07

Assist by Lee Croft.

60:07 Goal scored

Goal - James Tarkowski - Crewe 0 - 1 Oldham James Tarkowski finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Crewe 0-1 Oldham.

59:46

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Lee Croft,

58:21

Foul by Lee Croft on Mathias Pogba, free kick awarded. Gregor Robertson takes the direct free kick.

55:46

Chuks Aneke fouled by James Wesolowski, the ref awards a free kick. Gregor Robertson restarts play with the free kick.

55:12

Gregor Robertson is ruled offside. Dean Bouzanis takes the free kick.

54:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mathias Pogba by Cliff Byrne. Gregor Robertson takes the direct free kick.

53:57

Short corner taken by Lee Croft.

53:32

The ball is crossed by Reece Wabara, Jose Baxter takes a shot. Harry Davis gets a block in.

53:32

The ball is crossed by Reece Wabara, Jose Baxter takes a shot. Matt Tootle gets a block in.

52:21

Matt Tootle fouled by James Wesolowski, the ref awards a free kick. Gregor Robertson takes the free kick.

50:56

Handball by Mathias Pogba. Cliff Byrne restarts play with the free kick.

49:45

Chuks Aneke produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target.

48:20

Luke Murphy delivers the ball, Dean Bouzanis makes a comfortable save.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +2:33 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:34

Inswinging corner taken by Gregor Robertson from the left by-line, Shot by Kelvin Mellor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

45:00 +1:02

Jose Baxter sends in a cross, clearance made by Mark Ellis.

45:00 +0:24

The ball is delivered by Luke Murphy, save by Dean Bouzanis.

43:54 Substitution

Substitution James Tarkowski is brought on as a substitute for Jean Yves Mvoto.

40:45

The ball is delivered by Reece Wabara, clearance by Harry Davis.

40:03

Effort from close in by Lee Croft goes wide left of the target.

39:49

Cristian Montano takes a shot. Alan Martin makes a save.

39:36

The ball is sent over by Matt Derbyshire, save by Alan Martin.

38:45

Matt Derbyshire is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Mark Ellis takes the free kick.

37:20

A cross is delivered by Cliff Byrne, clearance by Gregor Robertson.

37:03

Centre by Jonathan Grounds, Harry Davis makes a clearance.

35:20

Mathias Pogba fouled by James Wesolowski, the ref awards a free kick. Luke Murphy takes the free kick.

29:45

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Lee Croft, Headed effort on goal by Jean Yves Mvoto from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.

29:18

Corner taken by Lee Croft from the right by-line, Mathias Pogba makes a clearance.

28:56

Cristian Montano takes a shot. Andy Bond gets a block in.

27:15

Jose Baxter is ruled offside. Alan Martin takes the indirect free kick.

27:03

A cross is delivered by Lee Croft.

26:53

The ball is delivered by Reece Wabara.

26:22

Corner from the left by-line taken by Lee Croft, Mathias Pogba makes a clearance.

26:10

Shot by Cristian Montano from 25 yards. Save by Alan Martin.

24:05

The assistant referee flags for offside against Matt Derbyshire. Alan Martin restarts play with the free kick.

23:50

Dean Furman takes a shot. Save made by Alan Martin.

23:16

A cross is delivered by Reece Wabara.

22:03

James Wesolowski takes a shot. Alan Martin makes a comfortable save.

21:51

Cristian Montano sends in a cross, clearance by Mark Ellis.

21:34

Unfair challenge on Dean Furman by Chuks Aneke results in a free kick. Dean Furman restarts play with the free kick.

19:32

Matt Derbyshire concedes a free kick for a foul on Harry Davis. Alan Martin restarts play with the free kick.

19:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chuks Aneke on Jonathan Grounds. Direct free kick taken by Dean Bouzanis.

18:27

The ball is sent over by Reece Wabara, comfortable save by Alan Martin.

17:45

Corner taken right-footed by Lee Croft.

16:21

Cristian Montano takes a shot. Save by Alan Martin.

15:26

Andy Bond concedes a free kick for a foul on Jose Baxter. Dean Bouzanis takes the free kick.

13:52

Jose Baxter produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

13:15

The referee blows for offside against Ajay Leitch-Smith. Dean Bouzanis takes the free kick.

12:38

Cristian Montano crosses the ball, save by Alan Martin.

11:25

Reece Wabara takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.

10:43

The referee blows for offside against Mathias Pogba. Free kick taken by Dean Bouzanis.

9:44

Foul by Mark Ellis on Matt Derbyshire, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Lee Croft.

7:54

Harry Davis challenges Matt Derbyshire unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Lee Croft from right wing, Andy Bond makes a clearance.

7:14

The assistant referee flags for offside against Lee Croft. Alan Martin restarts play with the free kick.

4:55

Corner taken by Gregor Robertson played to the near post, Harry Davis takes a shot from close in that strikes the post.

3:36

Reece Wabara crosses the ball.

1:45

The ball is delivered by Matt Derbyshire, Lee Croft takes a shot. Save by Alan Martin.

1:23

Cristian Montano crosses the ball, Harry Davis makes a clearance.

1:11

The ball is swung over by Jose Baxter, clearance made by Harry Davis.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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