Oldham Athletic 1-0 Woking – Tough pill to swallow in agonising last-minute defeat

Woking fell to defeat at Boundary Park through a last-minute header from Nathan Sheron. The Cards were miles off the pace and will hope that recent injuries don’t impact their playoff run-in.

Jim Kellermann had the game’s first chance when he drove from midfield before shooting 25 yards out, but his effort bounced just wide.

Mark Kitching then had The Latics’ first opportunity when he was found with yards of space to run into and aimed a powerful shot towards goal, but Jaaskelainen made a brilliant save.

Joe Nuttall was next to get involved with the action and was played in behind the Woking defence, but Billy Sass-Davies recovered well to make an exceptional last-ditch challenge.

Before the half-hour mark, John Rooney should have put his side ahead when he beat two players to set up a chance in front of goal, but dragged his shot wide of the post in a poor manner.

The final chance of the half fell to Padraig Amond when he hit a half-volley with a lot of power, but the Irishmen’s shot went just wide of the post.

HT: 0-0

In the second half, the hosts came out the stronger side and their early possession nearly paid off when former Cards player Mark Shelton fired in a superb ball, but a great interception and clearance stopped a near-certain goal.

Kyran Lofthouse found space on the counter-attack next and despite having options on either side of him, he opted to go for goal and took a shoot with the outside of his boot. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough curl on the ball meaning Magnus Norman was able to tip it out for a corner.

Woking worked the short corner routine and when the ball eventually found its way into the box, Rohan Ince’s header fell just shy of the goal.

As the game approached the dying moments of four additional minutes of injury time, an Oldham cross was dinked into the box and Sheron got his head to the ball first to tuck in into the bottom right-hand corner, beating the outstretched Jaaskelainen.

There was time for Woking to throw everyone forward straight from the kick-off and throughout all the chaos inside the box, the ball fell down to Scott Cuthbert who had an amazing chance to steal a point at the death, but he blazed the ball out of the stadium to really sum up Woking’s night.

FT: 1-0

It’s really clear that without James Daly and Rhys Browne, the side had lacked a real attacking threat but the good news is Browne has now served his suspension and will be back for Saturday’s home game against Maidenhead United. Meanwhile, it is hopeful that Reece Grego-Cox will return to action soon, alongside Daly.

Ten games to go and whatever happens, it must be remembered that this has been one hell of a terrific season… #COYCards

Oldham Starting XI: Norman, Hogan, Sheron, Shelton, Rooney, Reid (87), Kitching, Sutton, P. Clarke, Yarney, Nuttall (74)

Subs: Hudson, Green, Fondop-Talum (74), Abraham (87), Chapman

Woking Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Lofthouse, Casey, McNerney, Amond (79), Moss, Nwabuokei (90+3), Kellermann (89), Dackers, Ince, Sass-Davies

Subs: Ross, Cuthbert (89), Korboa (90+3), Simper (79), Nelson

Attendance: 5,347

Man of the Match: Kyran Lofthouse