Second-half strikes sink Latics

Manager Harry Kewell revealed that Scunthorpe 'wanted it more than us' after his Latics side were sent tumbling to defeat by Neil Cox's strugglers at Boundary Park.

Heading into the weekend, the Iron had lost their previous EIGHT games in all competitions.

However, they triumphed 2-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Jacob Bedeau and Kevin Van Veen.

Kewell said after the game: "We created a few chances in the opening 20 minutes and at that point we were looking quite comfortable.

"However, we then let our standards slip and we didn't really do enough of the nasty things well enough.

"We weren't fighting hard enough for second balls and we didn't just keep it simple.

"We then had a couple of chances early in the second half, before we went to sleep after a corner and they score.

"After that we didn't really look much of a threat.

"They wanted it more than us and that's why they've gone away with the three points.

"We were chasing it towards the end, but the ball just wouldn't drop for us.

"I can't fault the overall effort from some of my players, but it's disappointing because we've failed to build on three good performances in our previous three games.

"We just have to keep our chins up and go again now."

Latics went close early on when Dylan Bahamboula dribbled through before seeing an angled strike well saved by Mark Howard.

The Iron replied with defender Bedeau seeing his looping header nodded off the line by Danny Rowe.

Abo Eisa then forced Latics 'keeper Ian Lawlor into a terrific save as he dived to keep out a low, well-struck effort.

Shortly before the interval Lawlor was superb again as he produced an instinctive stop to keep out Ryan Loft's scissor-kick.

Scunthorpe struck on the hour mark when an unmarked Bedeau controlled Van Veen's cross before tucking neatly past Lawlor.

Kewell's men almost levelled with 13 minutes left when Rowe's goal-bound strike was deflected off target by his team-mate, sub Bobby Grant.

However, Van Veen crashed home from 25 yards with 12 minutes left after latching on to Loft's smart back-heel.

Latics, who are now in 20th place in League Two, return to action on Saturday when they make the long trek south to Exeter City.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.