McGahey fires Latics into the Cup first round proper

Latics withstood both poor weather and a tough National League opponent in near neighbours Altrincham to book their place in the draw for the FA Cup first round proper with a gutsy 1-0 win at Moss Lane.

Harrison McGahey celebrated his first start for Latics in over a year by scoring the all-important winning goal after 79 minutes.

The victory capped a dramatic week for Latics with caretaker managers Steve Thompson and Neil Redfearn departing earlier in the week, Paul Murray stepping into the role for this one match and the official announcement of Micky Mellon's appointment as full-time manager from next week onwards.

Mellon was at the match sitting with CEO Darren Royle and it was an ideal opportunity for him to view a side unbeaten in its previous six games and facing a dour battle in south Manchester where sunshine, rail and hail were served in equal measure.

Murray made one change from the side which drew with Dagenham and Redbridge with McGahey replacing Alex Reid, who dropped to the bench.

Latics started brightly in the first half with their best chance coming from a Brennan Dickenson corner on 17 minutes which was heading goalwards before being pushed away by keeper Ethan Ross.

Altrincham grew stronger as the half wore on.

Dickenson was substituted minutes later after colliding with the advertising hoarding and was replaced by Ben Tollitt.

The Robins had a few shots comfortably saved by Matt Hudson in the Oldham goal both before and after half time, but came close to scoring on 52 minutes when striker Dior Angus’s shot took a deflection and rattled the crossbar - Justin Amaluzor fluffed the rebound.

With the pitch becoming increasingly difficult through the rain, Altrincham worked hard to press their dominance, hardly surprising for a side which has won its last five games and currently sits fourth in the National League table.

Latics were dealt another blow 30 minutes into the second half when Green had to be replaced by Alex Reid with a suspected shoulder injury.

But Latics recovered stoically with both Hogan and Reid coming close.

It was a warning for Altrincham which was not heeded, as on 79 minutes, Latics took the lead.

In a build up not dissimilar to Athletic’s goal against Dagenham and Redbridge last week, it started with a corner from the right, taken this time by Tollitt.

The ball was headed back perfectly in the penalty area for McGahey to shoot into the net.

The remainder of the game saw Latics on the back foot defending nervously with the 1,115 travelling fans bolstering the official attendance of 3,874 urging every block, every tackle and helping to see the win completed.

In now means that Paul Murray’s managerial career will be and remain at a 100%-win rate as Mellon will be in the dugout for Latics' next match, the most local of derbies away at Rochdale next Saturday.

Murray said: "Everyone put a shift in.

"James Norwood was playing right back in the end because Altrincham are a good team and they're good at what they do.

"To have them for a couple of days, change shape and have a tweak in personnel and to get that result, I'm really pleased."

---

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.