LEE Erwin’s two headers sunk Oxford United as Oldham Athletic edged an even game on an appalling pitch at Boundary Park.

The Latics had the best of the first half and the striker was in the right place to nod in when Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s shot struck the woodwork.

United struggled on the playing surface but levelled on the hour when Chris Maguire won and converted a penalty, but they could not build on the momentum.

Instead, Erwin rose highest to place a precise header into the far corner 20 minutes from time.

The U’s had a strong penalty shout turned down late on as their bid to close the gap to the Sky Bet League One play-off places took a hit.

Just as at Peterborough on Saturday, an unchanged United were on the back foot early on.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Simon Eastwood was called into action, making a smart save to keep out a low shot from Amadi-Holloway.

Oldham, the lowest scorers in the English Football League, quickly threatened again from a corner which bounced around United’s six-yard box before Peter Clarke stabbed a shot wide.

They forged a third great chance in the opening 15 minutes when Marvin Johnson was caught out of position.

The pacy Ryan McLaughlin was played in on goal, but again Eastwood was equal to the low shot.

United stirred themselves a minute later.

Conor McAleny carved out a chance for himself by turning Clarke out wide, before testing Connor Ripley with a powerful shot from 12 yards.

United’s clearest opening of the half came in the 19th minute.

Rob Hall cut in from the right flank and swung in a cross for Kane Hemmings, who had got in between the two centre backs but steered the ball wide from six yards.

His reaction said it all – United should have gone in front.

The visitors had a foothold in the game now and Maguire found the roof of Ripley’s net with a 25-yard free-kick.

But Oldham’s direct approach continued to cause problems and on the half-hour mark they cut United open again.

A stumble from Dunkley led to Amadi-Holloway having another good sight of Eastwood’s goal, only to be thwarted by the goalkeeper once more.

The chances were mounting up for the Latics, who started the night just two points above the drop zone, and nine minutes before the break they made the breakthrough.

A U’s move broke down on the edge of the Oldham box and they broke to give Amadi-Holloway another chance in the box.

The striker held off Dunkley and fired in a shot which rattled the crossbar and rebounded for Erwin to head the ball past Phil Edwards on the line.

United did not threaten an equaliser before the break, but the second half began with more promise.

Maguire crashed a volley just over from range, while Ripley saved smartly from McAleny with the next effort from outside the box.

On the hour a stroke of good fortune led to the equaliser.

A clearance was charged down in the Oldham box and fell kindly for Maguire, who was felled by Ripley.

The Scot dusted himself down before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

United were briefly on top, but parity lasted just ten minutes.

Several times they failed to clear their lines, inviting pressure which led to McLaughlin crossing a quality ball which Erwin headed into the far corner.

The visitors had 20 minutes to find a way back into the game and Michael Appleton turned to his bench for fresh legs.

Toni Martinez and Joe Rothwell came on, but chances were few and far between, even as anxiety levels rose among the home fans.

United’s big moment came just before the 90th minute, when Phil Edwards’s cross appeared to strike an outstretched hand from Josh Law.

Referee Darren Drysdale was well-positioned but declined to award a second spot kick as Oldham held on for a massive result in their battle against relegation.

Oldham Ath (4-2-3-1): Ripley, Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt (Law 42), Banks, Green, McLaughlin, Erwin (Obadeyi 79), Taylor (Fane 90), Amadi-Holloway.

Unused subs: O’Neill, Flynn, Ngoo, Osei.

Booked: Gerrard, Banks.

Oxford Utd (4-4-2): Eastwood, Edwards, Dunkley, Nelson, Johnson, Hall, Lundstram, Ledson, Maguire, McAleny, Hemmings.

Subs used: Sercombe (Ledson 65), Martinez (Hemmings 78), Rothwell (Hall 78).

Unused subs: Stevens, Raglan, Skarz, Ruffels.

Booked: Nelson.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Attendance: Not given.