WANDERERS suffered a blow to their automatic promotion hopes with defeat at Oldham Athletic.

Jay Spearing’s own goal 14 minutes from the end capped a miserable afternoon for Phil Parkinson’s men, who hit the bar twice and had two shots cleared off the line.

Oldham played with 10 men for half an hour after Michael Ngoo saw red for a touchline foul on Darren Pratley. But they held out impressively to secure three points which all-but guarantees their safety in League One.

Parkinson named one striker – Adam Le Fondre – supported by top-scorer Josh Vela and felt his game-plan was working until the Latics struck on the counter with what proved a winning goal.

“We had enough chances to win the game,” he said. “We played well first half and controlled for large periods in difficult conditions.

“Second half we’ve hit the bar twice, had a couple cleared off the line, and the one breakaway they had resulted in an own goal.

“You run the risk of getting punished when you are going after the win. It wasn’t me not making attacking changes – it was a throw we had in the corner and they broke on us. We had enough back.”

The Wanderers boss rejected suggestion that his side have become nervous in their quest for automatic promotion.

“I don’t think there was any nervousness,” he said. “We played with great calmness on a difficult pitch.

“We have had some terrific wins recently and enjoyed taking the plaudits for those but this was a difficult defeat and we have to stick together.”

The first half produced few clear-cut chances, Darren Pratley wasting the two brief sights of goal Wanderers had.

A poor playing surface and swirling wind made flowing football nearly impossible for either side but the Whites did string a few passes together after the break to create a good chance for Filipe Morais, saved well by Conor Ripley.

At the other end, Peter Clarke’s volley was blocked by Mark Howard, who then held on well to Paul Green’s follow-up.

Pratley narrowly missed converting Morais’ far-post cross before Ngoo was sent off by ref Peter Bankes. The ex-Liverpool forward had already been booked for a foul on Dorian Dervite but got his second caution just a few minutes later for a rash challenge on Pratley.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Oldham left two men up – and their bravery was nearly rewarded when Lee Erwin broke through on the left and dragged a shot wide.

Moments later Erwin was wheeling away in delight as he claimed the final touch in Spearing’s own goal.

Ryan McLaughlin made two superb defensive clearances as Wanderers tried desperately to get back into the game, first from Mark Beevers and then Dorian Dervite.

Adam Le Fondre flicked a shot from Derik Osede on to the crossbar and in the dying stages sub Chris Long rattled the woodwork again with a stinging volley.

A travelling contingent of 4,300 willed on another attack in five minutes of stoppage time but Oldham saw the game out well to claim victory.