Shrewsbury 0-1 Oldham: Survival boost for Oldham

Oldham breathed fresh life into their battle to beat the drop in League One with a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Shrewsbury.

Oldham, whose last league win had been a 2-1 triumph at Chesterfield on November 14, were the brighter side throughout as they gained their first victory since John Sheridan returned to the club as manager.

The Latics made an enterprising start and Matty Palmer squandered an early chance when he fired over from 12 yards.

The visitors continued to push and took the lead in the 23rd minute when midfielder Carl Winchester struck a fine left-footed shot from 20 yards which flew into the bottom corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

Shrewsbury found chances hard to come by, although James Wallace shot straight at keeper Joel Coleman and Ian Black drilled wide from distance.

Oldham continued to look more dangerous in the second half and home keeper Jayson Leutwiler needed to be alert to push out a 40-yard drive from skipper Liam Kelly and then block an effort from substitute Rhys Murphy with his legs.

Shrewsbury never hit the heights they reached in winning at leaders Burton last weekend as they suffered a ninth home league defeat of the season.

Coleman was never seriously extended, with the closest Shrewsbury came to an equaliser Andy Mangan's late shot from the halfway line which just cleared the bar.