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Great character

12/ 3/2008

JOHN Sheridan was delighted with the character shown by his Oldham Athletic players after they closed to within two points of a play-off place in League One.

Two penalties from skipper Neal Eardley gave them a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night and, coupled with results elsewhere, moved Latics into eighth spot with nine games left.

Their fifth victory from eight league games at Boundary Park in 2008 was achieved despite losing both Mark Allott and Paul Black to injury in the warm-up.

Adding to Sheridan’s headache, Eardley and Chris Taylor were both unwell before and during proceedings, while Mark Crossley finished the game on one leg after hurting his groin during the second half.

Sheridan said: "It was very pleasing the way we went about it. They’re showing a lot of character but we’ve got to try and get everyone fit.

"I think our home form’s getting better but we have to concentrate on the next game and not get carried away."

Warren Cummings’ rugby tackle on Gary McDonald midway through the first half was to prove costly for the visitors.

With Cummings cautioned for the initial foul, Eardley’s free kick saw Marvin Bartley penalised for a push on Gary McDonald, allowing the right-back to beat David Forde from the spot.

The Welsh international wrapped up the points with his second penalty 10 minutes from time, scoring his fourth goal in four games after Taylor had been tripped by Josh Gowling.