Consecutive wins over Crewe Alexandra and bitter rivals Rochdale in ‘El Flatcapico’ helped Oldham end a three-game losing streak and revive hopes of a late push for the play-offs.

Oldham moved up to 11th in a tightly-packed League One, just four points from the play off places, after a 3-0 win over Rochdale on Tuesday.

Oldham come into Tuesday’s north Manchester derby on the back of their first win in four matches while Rochdale are within three points of the play-offs with two games in hand over sixth-placed Peterborough.

Jonathan Forte scored a second-half penalty to take his tally for the season to 13, and to add gloss to the 3-0 score line as Oldham brushed aside north Manchester rivals Rochdale.