Ollie Norburn earns overdue away win for Oldham
The midfielder’s scrappy second-half goal saw off Northampton.
Oldham won on their travels for the first time this season by beating Northampton 1-0 at Sixfields.
A tight and scrappy game was decided by Ollie Norburn’s second-half strike as the Latics jumped above their hosts in the League Two table.
The first half was devoid of quality and excitement but Northampton did have a good opportunity when a defensive clearance dropped to Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, who chose to go alone and was smothered by goalkeeper Matthew Hudson.
Elliott Moore headed straight at Hudson while Oldham’s best chance of the first half fell to Mike Fondop but he skewed wide having arrived unmarked in the penalty box.
Goalless at the break, Noah Chilvers forced Zach Jeacock into a flying save at the start of the second half before Fondop looped a header wide.
Oldham went even closer when Calum Kavanagh smacked the crossbar and then Northampton themselves struck the woodwork through Owen Dale’s close-range header.
The breakthrough eventually arrived with 20 minutes to play as Gus Scott-Morriss’ long throw caused chaos in the box and the ball was eventually squeezed home by Norburn.
That proved decisive as Northampton seldom threatened an equaliser.