Salford City beat 10-men Oldham Athletic 1-0 to end their three game winless streak

Salford City returned to winning ways courtesy of a first-half header from Dan Udoh to beat local rivals Oldham Athletic 1-0.

The Ammies moved up to fourth in the table and ended their three-game winless streak in a fulfilling game of football.

The game started with both teams attacking one another and lots of end-to-end football on display.

The Latics started more brightly with a flurry of chances from Tom Pett and Ryan Woods as both their strikes were saved by Matty Young.

Against the run of play, Kallum Cesay played a beautiful through-ball, leaving Kelly Nmai through on goal. The Ammies’ forward was taken down in the 18-yard box by Manny Monthe, and a penalty was awarded to Salford.

Kadeem Harris stepped up, and his shot struck the post. Udoh was there to spare the blushes with the follow-up as his scuffed shot gave him a perfect follow-in to head the ball over Matthew Hudson and make it 1-0 to the Ammies.

A brief intermission caused by two pitch invaders stopped play for five minutes, and the game continued.

The wind was now with Salford as a wave of chances from Haji Mnoga and Ben Woodburn who had their turns testing Matthew Hudson.

A collision between the sideline barrier and Luke Hannant meant the midfielder was forced off with a knee injury.

A golden opportunity for Oldham in the dying minutes of the half as Joe Quigley was one-on-one with Young, but his shot was soft and easy for the Ammies goalkeeper.

Bookings for Mnoga and Ossama Ashley finished the half off with Salford retaining a one-goal lead.

The second half began with more Salford possession. Udoh recovered the ball brilliantly in the Oldham box, but his shot from a tight angle was blocked.

Salford fans were enraged at the referee’s decision to allow play to go on after a challenge from Jake Caprice on Nmai. A follow-up challenge by Nmai got him a yellow card.

A flick from Woodburn left Nmai with acres of space to run into. He was then taken down at the edge of the box by Will Sutton. Denying a goal-scoring opportunity meant Sutton saw red, and Oldham were down to 10 men.

Pure dominance from Salford as they controlled the game as Udoh, Harris and Ade Oluwo all had shots at goal, but the Ammies remained only one up.

New signing and ex-AC Milan forward Fabio Borini made his debut for Salford in the 81st minute and was welcomed with huge applause from the Ammies faithful.

With eight minutes to go, Oldham pushed for an equaliser and looked the more dominant side. A golden opportunity as Kieron Morris’ header dropped to Joe Garner 10 yards out and his shot was blazed over the bar in what looked to be Oldham’s last chance to salvage an equaliser.

Another golden opportunity occured as Salford were in three on two, a pass from Josh Austerfield landed in the feet of Udoh but his shot was tame and easy for Hudson.

A first chance for Borini in Salford colours as Udoh’s cross landed on his head but his header went just over the bar.

A couple of corners from Oldham with Hudson darting up the pitch to have all players in the box resulted in multiple clearances from Salford and the full time whistle went with Salford picking up three points and a clean sheet.

The Ammies break their three game winless streak and move up to fourth in the league. Another goal for Udoh as his tally goes up to three goals and four assists and Salford pick up their second clean sheet of the season to wrap up a brilliant afternoon at the Peninsula.

Salford’s next game comes in FA cup first round action against a strong Lincoln city side who are in the league above the Ammies who will hope to put themselves in the hat for the second round.