Oldham Athletic AFC 1 - 0 Walsall: Walsall promotion hopes hit with Oldham defeat

Walsall's automatic promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they went down 1-0 at in-form Oldham.

Curtis Main was the match winner for an Oldham side who bolstered their survival chances with a third-consecutive victory.

Walsall squandered the first opening of the game as Jordy Hiwula burst into the box following a neat move but was denied by onrushing keeper Joel Coleman.

Main fired just wide from a cross by Tareiq Holmes-Dennis before Coleman pulled off another good save, tipping over Sam Mantom's 25-yard shot.

A mistake by Saddlers defender Paul Downing almost gifted Oldham the breakthrough after 44 minutes, but Jonathan Forte could not finish from a tight angle.

Despite Walsall bossing possession after half-time, the home side led on 63 minutes when Forte crossed from the left and Main drilled low into the corner from 12 yards.

Walsall could have equalised in the 80th minute, but Hiwula blazed high and wide from inside the penalty area.

John Sheridan's Oldham have kept four straight clean sheets as they battle to retain their League One status.