Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson was frustrated as his side lost 3-2 away to Gillingham despite a good performance in a game that saw four goals in the opening 22 minutes.
John Marquis’ double saw the home side race into a 2-0 lead, but Liam Kelly followed up Danny Philliskirk’s saved penalty to pull one back for the Latics, and Dominic Poleon dispossessed Gills’ keeper Stuart Nelson to tap in the equaliser.
But Bradley Dack’s deflected volley with 20 minutes remaining earned Gillingham all three points, and left Johnson rueing missed chances.
“I’m disappointed to have lost the game. I thought we gave it a real go though so I’m proud of the players for that and we just let ourselves down through a lot of things,” he said.
“We didn’t have enough quality for all our dominance in the final third and then the individual errors start.
“If you give someone a two-goal lead it’s difficult to get a hold of the game but in fairness we got back into it through good play and some good shutting down by Dom.
“Then we look the favourites to win it and we looked the stronger side. Amari had a good chance cleared off the line and it was one of those days and the ball didn’t just drop for us.”
The defeat leaves Oldham in 14th place in League One, but just three points off the play-off places and with two games in hand over Fleetwood Town who are sixth.
The 33-year-old praised Jacob Mellis, who joined on loan from Blackpool last week, and said that the former Chelsea youngster might not be the last addition to his side during the transfer window.
“I expect from Jacob what he showed today. He is quality on the ball, he is very aware of his space, and he was part of some really good moves,” said Johnson.
“He brings that Championship class to the side, and we just need to keep him motivated and concentrated on his football.
“We want to make sure that we come out of this window stronger than when we went in. I’m just looking for better players. We want to strengthen everywhere, as always.
“There are certainly players out there who can affect us in a positive way.”
Main image courtesy of Official OAFC via YouTube, with thanks.
