Fondop is Latics' late hero as they come from behind to see off Wealdstone

A late goal from Latics sub Mike Fondop was enough to continue winning ways for Micky Mellon's side and send Wealdstone away disappointed.

The striker hammered home an initially saved penalty to the relief of Latics fans - a 3-2 result which strengthens their play-off position in the National League table

The Stones, who had won their previous two games at Boundary Park, got off to a flying start after just three minutes.

Micah Obiero, who started the game in place of on-loan striker Alex Reid who was prevented from playing against his parent club (Latics), took advantage of an Oldham error in the box and fired a low shot into the corner past Matt Hudson.

Latics had initially little to offer in reply until Will Sutton saw his shot blocked on 15 minutes, and then ten minutes later Josh Stones saw a goal-bound effort well defended.

The Stones doubled their lead on 28 minutes when, once again, Oldham failed to clear the ball in their own box.

Hudson could only parry the ball towards Max Kretzschmar who fired in from close range.

Then eight minutes later Oldham produced their first real penetrating move of the game when Caprice raced down the right,

Norwood helped on his cross but Stones fired just wide.

But Stones finally scored on 44 minutes and again Caprice was the playmaker, his right wing cross met superbly by Stones to head the ball past Steward.

One minute after the restart the home side were level after Will Sutton headed on to Stones and the forward controlled and beat Steward for his second of the game.

This encouraged Latics to press for a winner Josh Cook blasted over for the visitors before Stones, seeking his hat-trick, shot straight at Steward.

Then Boldewijn's low cross a found advancing Wealdstone strikers tantalisingly close to tapping the ball in.

Oldham sub Fondop headed just wide on 76 minutes, and he then put the home side ahead for the first time in the game three minutes later.

He was adjudged to have been felled in the box and stepped up take the penalty.

His initial spot kick was saved by Steward, but Fondop calmly slotted home the rebound for his ninth league goal of the season.

Latics boss Mellon was naturally relieved to get the three points, saying: “What I must say is that Wealdstone came here and gave a really good account of themselves, and, as we were undercooked, I thought they were really good.

"But they couldn’t contain us and eventually we were able to take the result we would have liked.”

He agreed that getting three points whilst not being at their best was the sign of a good team.

Mellon added: “When you have a lay like we have had in the league you forget about the tempo, but then you get back on it and get the three points and a massive Christmas present.”

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