GHOSTS from Leeds United's past returned to cast a shadow over Leeds United's opening home game of the season and suggest promotion is no foregone conclusion.
Oldham manager John Sheridan and right-hand man Tommy Wright gave Leeds sterling service in their playing days but it was defender Sean Gregan who received unanimous acclaim for a near flawless performance.
Gregan gave the perfect answer to Leeds
for showing him the door after two seasons at Elland Road. Whether in the air or on the ground, Gregan, 34, had the measure of Leeds strikers Jermaine Beckford and Enoch Showunmi, though Oldham allowed Luciano Becchio two close-in headers after the Argentine left the bench.
Leeds could not conjure a goal, however, and were made to pay for poor defending as winger Chris Taylor pounced twice in a 15-minute spell early in the second half.
His first arrived when Lee Hughes's header thudded back to him off the bar and his second came when he cut in from the left and expertly curled the ball round Casper Ankergren.
Leeds manager Gary McAllister described Gregan as "the outstanding player on the park", while Sheridan also hailed the veteran defender's inspiring display at Reuben Hazell's shoulder.
"Hazell and Gregan dominated two awkward players in Beckford and Showunmi in a very good team performance," said the Latics manager who expressed the hope that Oldham and Leeds accompany each other into the Championship at the season's end. "I have a lot of time for Leeds United and still live in the area. Hopefully, we will go up and if we do I would love Leeds to go up with us."
McAllister said: "That performance wasn't good enough and there is no excuse for it. We have to think it was a bit of a freak."
Leeds United: Ankergren; Richardson, Marques, Huntington, Sheehan; Snodgrass, Howson (Delph 66), Prutton, Robinson; Beckford, Showunmi (Becchio 66). Unused susbstitutes: Lucas, Douglas, Telfer.
Oldham Athletic: Crossley; Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax; Liddell (Smalley 79), Allott, Whittaker, Taylor; Hughes (O'Grady 68), Alessandra. (Maher 88). Unused susbstitutes: Stam, Fleming.
Referee: Mick Russell (Herts).
Man of the match: Robert Snodgrass.
GHOSTS from Leeds United's past returned to cast a shadow over Leeds United's opening home game of the season and suggest promotion is no foregone conclusion.
Oldham manager John Sheridan and right-hand man Tommy Wright gave Leeds sterling service in their playing days but it was defender Sean Gregan who received unanimous acclaim for a near flawless performance.
Gregan gave the perfect answer to Leeds for showing him the door after two seasons at Elland Road. Whether in the air or on the ground, Gregan, 34, had the measure of Leeds strikers Jermaine Beckford and Enoch Showunmi, though Oldham allowed Luciano Becchio two close-in headers after the Argentine left the bench.
Leeds could not conjure a goal, however, and were made to pay for poor defending as winger Chris Taylor pounced twice in a 15-minute spell early in the second half.
His first arrived when Lee Hughes's header thudded back to him off the bar and his second came when he cut in from the left and expertly curled the ball round Casper Ankergren.
Leeds manager Gary McAllister described Gregan as "the outstanding player on the park", while Sheridan also hailed the veteran defender's inspiring display at Reuben Hazell's shoulder.
"Hazell and Gregan dominated two awkward players in Beckford and Showunmi in a very good team performance," said the Latics manager who expressed the hope that Oldham and Leeds accompany each other into the Championship at the season's end. "I have a lot of time for Leeds United and still live in the area. Hopefully, we will go up and if we do I would love Leeds to go up with us."
McAllister said: "That performance wasn't good enough and there is no excuse for it. We have to think it was a bit of a freak."
Leeds United: Ankergren; Richardson, Marques, Huntington, Sheehan; Snodgrass, Howson (Delph 66), Prutton, Robinson; Beckford, Showunmi (Becchio 66). Unused susbstitutes: Lucas, Douglas, Telfer.
Oldham Athletic: Crossley; Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax; Liddell (Smalley 79), Allott, Whittaker, Taylor; Hughes (O'Grady 68), Alessandra. (Maher 88). Unused susbstitutes: Stam, Fleming.
Referee: Mick Russell (Herts).
Man of the match: Robert Snodgrass.
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