RITCHIE ALLEN brought Kirkham & Wesham's promotion push almost to boiling point when he stroked home a dramatic 78th minute winner at Kellamergh Park on Saturday.
The former Fleetwood and Kendal striker ended all hopes of Oldham's outside chance of promotion while cementing Kirkham's, and with results elsewhere going their way too, there is even a possibility that the champagne corks
might well be popping on Monday when Norton United are the visitors to Warton.
Boss Mick Fuller though was somewhat cautious after the win saying: "Some of the players thought that we played well before half-time but I thought otherwise and so to did my management team.
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"It wasn't a good game but it's three points and that's what matters, especially at this time of the season.
"The players have set the standard this season and today that standard wasn't there.
"Conditions didn't help, as we gave the ball away on too many occasions."
Kirkham's day got off to a good start after 23 minutes when Phil Thompson ghosted into the box to side foot home after good work from Phil Blackwell had set up the chance.
But Oldham, who were one of only three clubs to lower Kirkham's colours in the league this season stormed back to equalise eight minutes later when the menace of Stuart McGill (he scored the goal that sank Kirkham in November)
wasn't halted down the left and his shot was parried by Pete Summerfield and forward Elstrom Die was on hand to ruthlessly thrash home the loose ball.
Thompson had a chance on half-time to again get his name on the scoresheet but his shot was smothered by Oldham keeper Matty Blair.
And in the second half as Kirkham pushed for a winner, Mark Wane and substitute James Sheppard both had chances to grab a winner, that is before
Allen raced off the left touchline to secure the win.
Kirkham skipper Dougie Shaw (dissent), Sheppard (violent conduct) and Allen (kicking the ball away) were all booked in a frenzied end to the game, as was Oldham defender Tom Matley for a bad tackle on Wane.
Kirkham & Wesham scorers: Thompson 23, Allen 78. Oldham Town scorer: Die 31.
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