Oldham 2 Sheffield W 3: Sedgwick double eases relegation fear for Owls

Megson’s side was fast out of the traps on a cold evening at Boundary Park in an attempt to stifle Oldham’s attacking play.

And that early burst produced two goals for the Owls inside the first 15 minutes.

As the Oldham defence dithered and dallied, Mark Beevers was allowed a free close-range header from Gary Teale’s well-flighted cross from the right.

It was 2-0 to Wednesday on 14 minutes, this time Chris Sedgwick forcing the ball home from six yards after a good run and cross from Tommy Spurr.

The Owls seemed totally in control at that stage but were rocked back on their heels at the midway point of the first half when Filipe Morais saw his 25-yard effort take a wicked deflection before spinning past the helpless goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.

And as Oldham pressed for a leveller, Dale Stephens produced a wonder strike on the stroke of half-time, his 25-yard effort flying like an exocet into the top corner.

The second half saw Wednesday largely contain what little threat Oldham posed.

By then, of course, another header from Sedgwick on 52 minutes had already sealed the points for Wednesday.

Oldham Athletic: Amos; Lee, Hazell, Trotman, Black; Morais, Stephens, Jones, White (Alessanbar 60); Tounkara, Taylor (Reid 84). Unused substitutes: Brill, Todd, Mantom, Feeney, Evina.

Sheffield Wednesday: Weaver; M Morrison, R Johnson, Beevers, Spurr; Osbourne (Potter 85), O’Connor, Miller, Sedgewick, Teale; Madine (C Morrison 19). Unused: O’Donnell, Heffernan, J Johnson, Jones, Mellor.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).