Oldham Athletic clinched a much-needed 1-0 win against Gillingham with Adrian Pennock losing his first game in charge.
John Sheridan tasted victory at the start of his third spell as Latics boss, while Gillingham were playing their first game since Adrian Pennock replaced the sacked Justin Edinburgh.
With the likes of Jake Hessenthaler, Bradley Garmston, Lee Martin and Adedeji Oshilaja missing, and Baily Cargill, Jonathan Bond and Frank Nouble having left the club, the squad almost picked itself.
The visitors almost grabbed an early opener as Chris Herd’s goalbound shot was blocked by Oldham captain Peter Clarke. But the hosts broke through on 39 minutes when Billy McKay was fouled just outside the box and, from the resulting free-kick, Josh Law cracked an unstoppable drive high into the net.
It was Oldham’s first league goal at home since mid-October, though they needed Connor Ripley to protect the lead before half-time with a smart save from Max Ehmer.
Lee Erwin could have made it 2-0 after a mazy run, but his low shot drifted wide. McKay and Law were next to threaten the visitors’ goal, both forcing saves from keeper Stuart Nelson.
Gillingham’s Bradley Dack whipped a shot off target before sending a close-range header too close to Ripley.
Law hit the bar in injury time as Oldham pressed for a second goal and held on for the narrow victory which ended their 10-match winless run and moved them off the foot of the table.
For Gillingham, the result sees them stay 17th in the League One table, some thirteen points outside the play-off places, but crucially only five points above the relegation zone.
Adrian Pennock now has a full week to work with the players he has and to look at bringing in some fresh faces ahead of next Saturday’s trip to league leaders Sheffield United.
Oldham Athletic line up: Ripley, Law, Wilson, Flynn, McKay (Green 80), Edmundson, Dummigan, Erwin (Osei 60 (Glackin 88)), Fane, Clarke, McLaughlin.
Subs not used: Kettings, Reckford, Banks, King.
Goal: Law (39).
Booked: Wilson (70)
Gillingham line up: Nelson, Jackson, Konchesky, Herd (Osadebe 71), Ehmer, Wright, Knott, Wagstaff, List (Donnelly 68), Emmanuel-Thomas (McDonald 60), Dack.
Subs not used: Hadler, Oldaker, Dickenson, Byrne.
Booked: Konchesky (38), McDonald (82), Dack (89).
Referee: Mr Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 3,475