IN the build-up I was looking forward to three points and only hoped Oldham, on a poor run, wouldn't raise their game after losing their manager.

How many times has this happened to Town?

It was a great surprise to find Delroy Facey on the teamsheet.

There's never a dull moment at the Galpharm, and what a pay-off!

With only three minutes gone he won a header to put Oldham under pressure and, after a bad clearance, Pav coolly lobbed the ball home.

We were in dreamland, but could we build on this and win from the front?

Oldham had two or three opportunities involving Betsy while Delroy was winning a lot in the air. He and Pav, though, were playing far too far apart.

I thought Oldham, with their Route 1 stuff, were poor, but sometimes it's hard to beat a team so bad when they are doing strange things in normal conditions.

Adnan and Nathan were solid throughout, while the second goal came from superb work by Delroy down the right and a quality cross.

Two assists for Delroy, two goals for Pav.

What would the second half bring? Answer: the usual!

Oldham came more into things, we hardly won a second ball in midfield and so the pressure built on the back four.

Betsy proved a handful but we dug in and battled, with Mirfin and Ahmed being floored five or six times, despite losing all rhythm.

When Oldham scored with 75 minutes gone we were all left clock-watching again.

Even then, we had chances to kill off the game - but it was a relief to finally get the points.

Given more time, and with some strengthening in midfield, I feel we can look forward to our kids bringing several seasons of good times to the Galpharm.

And if we finish in mid-table or better this time, then I think it will have been a tremendous season for Peter and the club.