Away-day woe becoming a headache for coach Naylor

AWAY form is starting to become an issue for Scott Naylor, who said Oldham’s performance in a 32-24 defeat at Keighley could be similarly compared with the 30-18 loss at Barrow three weeks ago.

In contrast, his Roughyeds haven’t lost a league game at Whitebank in more than two years — a phenomenal record.

Said frustrated Naylor: “If we are going to do anything in this division we have to be switched on both home and away, and we need to be mentally tough home and away. It’s no use being a good team at home and a completely different side away. You can’t go in at half-time losing 26-0 and expect to win a game anywhere in this division.

“Realistically, this game was all over at half-time. Keighley were perhaps a little bit too relaxed when they came out for the second half and that helped us a little bit to get back in the game.

“It was a disappointing result, obviously, but the score didn’t reflect the game because in the first half we didn’t show up at all. The lads are bitterly disappointed with themselves, but only they can put it right.”

Paul March, the Keighley boss, wasn’t entirely happy, either: “To be in the position we were in at half-time and then to finish up hanging in there, wasn’t good enough. We were vulnerable when Oldham were on the move in the second half.