Goals from Lee Hughes and Deane Smalley left Hartlepool with just six points from the last 30 available to stay rooted in the bottom half of the table.

The Latics opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Wales international full-back Neal Eardley crossed into the box, Hartlepool defender Michael Nelson made a mess of a clearance and Hughes cashed in to stab the loose ball home from six yards for his 14th goal of the season.

The hosts extended their lead when Kevin Maher's precise cross found Smalley who hit a perfect volley into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to take his tally to two.

Hartlepool were handed a lifeline they hardly deserved when an attempted clearance from Oldham full-back Kelvin Lomax flew into the net for an own goal.

Oldham faced anxious moments at the end when they took their foot off the pedal but they held on for a vital three points.