OLDHAM's playoff hopes hanging by a thread after crashing to a third straight defeat.

The backdoor is still slightly ajar after both Barnsley and Swansea again dropped points as the run-in begins to hot up. But to stand any chance of sneaking back into the top six, they will have to take maxi8mum points in their three remaining games and hope rivals drop even more.

Oldham had looked good value for a half time lead but the hosts bounced back after the break to hit a match-winning double and make it just one defeat in 11 games.

The game hinged on a twice taken penalty which game Bristol the equaliser.

Oldham had made a bright start and keeper Adriano Basso had to be alert to take the ball off Chris Porter's feet in the70th minute.

Action

He was in action again seven minutes later keeping out a Luke Beckett effort.

Oldham keeper Lee Grant also got the chance to show off his skills when he twice denied the lively Scott Brown. Beckett also came up with a monster miss when he put a shot wide from just three yards out.

The top scorer made no mistake when he put the Latics in front two minutes into first half stoppage time. Oldham deserved their lead but all the good work was soon to be undone by a controversial penalty decision.

There was no doubt that Guy Branston had handled in the box - but a linesman got in the act seconds later. Grant made a superb one-handed save to keep out Alex Russell's well struck spot kick in the 56th minute. But the man with the flag judged the keeper had moved too soon and the ref ordered it to be re-taken.

Russell sent Grant the wrong way with his second chance, and Bristol suddenly found new energy.

Oldham had a lucky escape in the 67th minute when a 25-yard free kick from Brown clattered against a post But Bristol took the lead nine minutes later when leading marksman Steve Brooker thundered in a header from a corner.

Disappointed boss Ronnie Moore groaned: "The penalty changed the course of the game.

Wonderful

"It was a wonderful save and it is beyond me why the linesman should get involved. It was worrying to come away with nothing after the way we had played for the first 45 minutes.

"We just don't look like we are going to keep a clean sheet. We again got done at two set plays and how many times have I said that this season.

"Some players make too many wrong decisions and in 20 minutes of the second half we surrendered the initiative."

Moore added: "And there are still enough points for us to get back into the playoff places and we have to try to get a fluky win.

"It will hurt me to miss out but does it hurt the players enough. I wanted that sixth place but it is going to be very difficult now.

"The annoying thing was that this game was there for the taking and all three points would have put us back in a good position to kick on again."

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