THE SADDLERS let another home lead slip to end the 2008/09 campaign with a defeat against Oldham Athletic.

There was a bizarre opening to the game when Oldham were forced to make a substitution as the game was about to kick-off with Paul Black taking the place of Daniel Jones.

Within 30 seconds of the start they were made to pay when some defensive hesitation saw Alex Nicholls latch onto the ball and cross for Troy Deeney to find the net with a diving header.

The lead was almost doubled within the opening minute when Deeney put pressure on Reuben Hazell to win the ball but as he closed in on goal, Greg Fleming was able to make the block.

At the other end, a purposeful run by Deane Smalley saw him twist and turn inside the area but Manny Smith stood up to it well to get in an important block as he pulled the trigger.

After an explosive opening to the game, things settled down as the half went on.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Richard Taundry strode forward but his ball in search of Nicholls was cleared. Then in the next attack, Taundry received the ball out wide before feeding Deeney whose low effort was dragged just wide.

A free-kick from Sofiene Zaaboub was delivered invitingly into the danger zone where Sean Gregan headed clear.

On the half-hour mark an effort from Deeney caught out Fleming but struck the crossbar, whilst at the other end, Ince failed to deal with a cross as Gerrard headed clear in front of goal before the loose ball was fired over by Kevin Maher as The Saddlers failed to clear their lines properly.

Rhys Weston denied Smalley with a timely block in front of goal after Kieran Lee had carved out an opening as The Latics looked to get back onto level terms.

With four minutes to go until the break, Danny Whitaker saw a deflected shot from outside the area that Ince held on to but the goal that they had threatened wasn't long in coming when a cross into the area was flicked on to Smalley by Whitaker and he fired home powerfully to give Ince no chance.

The visitors started the second period on top with Smalley putting a header narrowly wide.

Some good battling from Deeney saw him set Nicholls off in chase on the left and his cross found Taundry at the far post whose shot was blocked.

A long punt upfield by Ince put the opposition 'keeper under pressure as Deeney challenged. Then a loose ball in the midfield by Mark Allott was picked up by Taundry who made progress before hitting a blistering strike that Fleming did well to keep out.

There was a change as Josh Craddock replaced Zaaboub.

A shooting chance opened up for Ian Westlake just past the hour but Ince was behind it to make the save. The 'keeper was then alert to thwart the same player in the next attack.

The Saddlers were caught out when a break on the right by Oldham saw the ball land at the feet of teenage debutant, Ryan Brooke who slotted home with one of his first touches.

Mark Bradley replaced Stephen Hughes as the clock ticked down and there was just time for Ince to deny Matt Wolfenden on a couple of occasions before the final whistle sounded to signal a losing end to the season. 

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography