Calvin Andrew’s header pinched a 1-0 victory for Rochdale at Spotland on Monday afternoon, consigning Port Vale to their sixth straight defeat and elevating the home side to just four points off the playoffs with a game in hand.

Conor Wilkinson’s low drive after linking with Danny Philliskirk after 74 minutes proved to be the game’s only goal, helping Oldham end a three-match losing streak.

Crewe have lost five of their last six and, just two points off the relegation zone, are mired in a battle for their League One survival as Oldham seek to pull clear of the lower part of the table.

The former Oldham Athletic captain took temporary charge at the League One side when ex-manager Lee Johnson left for Barnsley last month.

Two Preston goals in each half, including a first half-strike from ex-Latics loanee Daniel Johnson, settled the game 4-0 as Oldham lost their third straight match.

Rochdale’s five-game unbeaten run was ended thanks to Michael Brown’s second-half strike, pushing Keith Hill’s team out of the League One play-off places and down to eighth.

Micky Adams’ Port Vale welcome Johnson’s Oldham this weekend

Jamie Allen was likened to a ‘young Paul Scholes’ by team mates

Dale have not won at Port Vale in their 106-year history

The Latics host Orient at Boundary Park on Saturday

The latics beat Port Vale 3-1