Two goals in both halves sealed a comprehensive victory for Oldham Athletic over Boston United on Tuesday evening.
The Pilgrims were second best at Boundary Park, as Graham Coughlan suffered his first defeat as United manager.
Josh Lundstram and James Norwood handed the Latics a half-time lead, with Josh Stones and Mike Fondop completing the home side’s victory after the break.
It was tough evening for the Pilgrims, who made two changes to the side which had beaten Braintree Town three days earlier, with Tom Leak and Keaton Ward coming into the starting XI.
Oldham took an eighth minute lead when LUNDSTRAM found space to angle a low drive past Aidan Stone, following interchange play involving Reagan Ogle and Norwood in and around the penalty area.
The Pilgrims had a glorious chance to equalise minutes later, but Matthew Hudson made an excellent save to deny Jacob Hazel, after being threaded through by Frankie Maguire.
Lundstram turned provider in the 19th minute with a defence-splitting throughball for NORWOOD to run on and beat Stone with a low finish.
United had a good go after the break, but their fate was sealed in the 67th minute when Manny Monthe’s raking throughball picked out the run of STONES, who shrugged off an ailing Mills to advance and beat Stone with an unstoppable effort.
Leak was adjudged to have fouled FONDOP three minutes from time and the substitute stepped up to sail home Oldham’s fourth from the resultant spot-kick.
Oldham (3-5-2): Matthew Hudson; Reagan Ogle, Charlie Raglan, Manny Monthe; Jake Caprice, Josh Lundstram (Josh Kay 69), Sam Clucas, Tom Conlon (Dan Gardner 80), Mark Kitching; Josh Stones (Kane Drummond 69), James Norwood (Mike Fondop 69). Subs (not used): Joe Garner, Jesurun Uchegbulam, Scott Moloney (gk).
Boston (3-4-2-1): Aidan Stone; Zak Mills (Sam Reed 70), Michael Bostwick (Kieran Coates 76), Tom Leak; Jai Rowe, Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Cameron Green; Keaton Ward (Lennon Wheeldon 76), Frankie Maguire; Jacob Hazel (Pemi Aderoju 76). Subs (not used): Billy Chadwick, Sam Osborne, Jake Lovelace (gk).
Referee: Dale Baines.
Attendance: 5,013 (194 visitors).
Pic: Chris Bray
