Rhys Turner scored twice to lead Oldham Athletic to a 3-0 victory over playoff hopefuls Rochdale this evening.
Oldham came agonisingly close to taking an early lead when Mike Jones used the space on offer 25 yards from goal to rattle the crossbar with a powerful strike.
The visitors threatened with a similar effort at the other end, but Joel Coleman reacted impressively to keep out the shot from Peter Vincenti.
It was the home side who found the crucial opening goal on the half-hour mark as Turner slotted home from close range after Jamie Jones had denied Mat Sadler.
Luke Woodland, on loan at the club from Bolton Wanderers, nearly doubled Oldham's lead in first-half stoppage time with a swerving effort which drifted just past the post.
Rochdale came back strongly after the break, but Oldham found a second when Jonathan Forte came forward to pick out the bottom corner after his first effort had been blocked.
Another Oldham attack followed, and the game was effectively over as Turner took full advantage of some poor marking to beat a helpless Jones.
Dean Holden's side were largely untroubled in the latter stages of the game as they collected the three points which move them into the top half of League One.
