ZACH Clough's double was enough to earn Wanderers a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic in a game where several of Phil Parkinson's side shone.

Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his verdict.

WANDERERS

MARK HOWARD…7 One really important save in the second half at the feet of Paul Green, showing awareness to get up and gather the ball from Fane too. Good concentration.

LAWRIE WILSON…7 Bar the odd error in possession there was plenty to admire about the full-back’s performance. Covered a lot of ground up and down the flank.

DAVID WHEATER…8 Denied by a brilliant save from Ripley in the first half, the big defender must wonder what he has to do to score. Defensively sound, as ever.

MARK BEEVERS…8 Reads the game so well and was able to snuff out danger on several occasions with some crowd-pleasing challenges. One of Wanderers’ cool customers.

ANDREW TAYLOR…7 Starting to blend in after some teething trouble at first in a Whites shirt. Very clear he is a good footballer who’s comfortable in possession.

TOM THORPE…7 Outstanding in the first half and hardly put a foot wrong. Faded in the second – but understandable, given he was almost pulled out of the squad through illness a few hours earlier.

JAY SPEARING…8.5 Parkinson’s leader dragged his side back into it when they started to wobble either side of the half time break. Commanding display.

JOSH VELA…8 Playing in cruise control at the moment and seemingly enjoying his role further forward. Covered every blade of grass and with a touch more composure, would have created a couple of goals too.

SAMMY AMEOBI…7 Some moments of genuine genius. Not everything came off, but the Wanderers crowd are warming to the on-loan winger – who is starting to enjoy life in the North West.

GARY MADINE…7 Only got a couple of half-sniffs at goal but got through a lot of work for the team and probably has the bruises to prove it too.

ZACH CLOUGH…8 Showcased why he’s so important to Wanderers with the free-kick after 10 minutes. This was good – but the exciting thing is, he’s capable of even more.

Subs: Proctor 72 (for Madine) – Made a nuisance of himself 6

Derik Osede 75 (for Thorpe) – Made one fine challenge on right 6

Henry 86 (for Ameobi) – Sampled the win 6

Not used: Dervite, Anderson, Alnwick, Trotter.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Ripley; Burgess, Clarke, Wilson, Reckford; Flynn, Fane, Erwin, Winchester; Green, McKay, Subs: Ladapo 58 (for McKay), Dummigan 78 (for Wilson), Jahraldo-Martin 79 (for Fane) Not used: Kettings, Klok, Bankes, Dunne.

Their star man – Carl Winchester Always looked dangerous around the penalty box but, alas, Oldham’s lack of cutting edge has been evident all season.

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION Wanderers – 53 Oldham - 47

SHOTS ON TARGET Wanderers – 6 Oldham - 2

SHOTS OFF TARGET Wanderers – 9 Oldham - 9

CORNERS Wanderers – 6 Oldham - 4

FOULS AGAINST Wanderers – 14 Oldham - 12

OFFSIDES Wanderers – 1 Oldham - 2

Booked: Wanderers – None Oldham – Burgess (foul on Vela)

Sent off: None

Attendance: 14,891 (2,097)

Referee: Carl Boyeson 6 No major gripes about the referee – although Steven Robinson may beg to differ after taking issue with the award of the free kick for Wanderers’ first goal.

Entertainment – 6 It wasn’t a classic but then local derbies seldom are. Clough and Ameobi provided the real moments of class and Wanderers fans went home happy. Can’t ask for any more than that.

Atmosphere – 6 Despite a healthy travelling contingent the Macron never really found its voice, the nervousness at 1-0 quite evident at times after the interval.