Jamie Paterson's brace showed just how much the Walsall kids are growing up.
Paterson, 21, stunned Oldham with a pair in the second half after fellow winger James Baxendale had dragged the Saddlers back into the game with a superb solo goal five minutes before the break. He then said:
"A few of us have been in a relegation fight for a couple of years, but you can see that we're enjoying our football now. It's all coming together nicely.
"You learn a lot when you're at the bottom of the league and you're only nineteen. You certainly don't want to be there again. But that's part of football and the earlier you learn that, the better."
Oldham have only picked up one point in nine games, but debutant loan Lee Barnard opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he nodded in from eight yards.
Southampton striker Barnard, 28, signed for the rest of the season and is available for the club's FA Cup fifth round clash with Everton. He revealed:
"I watched the boys beat Liverpool in the Cup and I was impressed with how hard they worked for each other. So when I was asked to join the club the day before deadline day, I didn't hesitate and there's no doubt that that performance had a bearing on my decision."
But Latics boss Paul Dickov's future is in doubt following the poor league run and he said:
"As a manager defeats put you under pressure, but I shall roll up my sleeves and do everything I can to get out of this mess."
Saddlers manager Dean Smith watched his side notch up their seventh victory in nine outings, but suffered a sixteen game run without a win earlier in the season and backed Dickov. He said:
"He's a good guy and a good manager. If he's given the chance he'll turn it around - definitely."
From Sunday's paper
This morning's clipping
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