The game had started brightly for the young Blues when they took the lead after just ten minutes through central midfielder James Earl. A cross from the right-hand side by Martin Graham found its way to Earl just inside the box and the Carlisle-born youngster hit an excellent half-volley to put United 1-0 up.
Pete Ferris had a one-on-one chance saved shortly after by the Oldham keeper but that it was as good as it got for United as the game turned on its head two minutes later.
United keeper Adam Bradley hit a poor clearance from his own box which landed straight at the feet of one of the Oldham strikers. The young Latic advanced on goal, took the ball round Bradley, and just as he was about to slot the ball into an empty net, he was unceremoniously upended by United centre-half Dan Kirkup. The referee was left with little choice but to show Kirkup a red card and after the penalty was easily converted it left the young Blues facing a tough 75 minutes.
The lads struggled to cope with the tactical changes required as soon as they went down to ten men and had their best defender missing from the side. Infact for the next 20 minutes it was like the Alamo with Oldham scoring three times and United finding themselves 4-1 down from nowhere at half-time.
United head of youth development, David Wilkes, changed the tactics around during the interval and asked the youngsters to try and defend a little deeper and break forward quickly to support the frontmen.
The youngsters did improve after the break having had time to clear their heads and get on with the task in hand and managed to make a few chances on the break. Oldham defended what they had though and only allowed a couple of chances for Ferris and Rob Bainbridge which weren't taken to leave the scoreline the same and see United on the wrong end of a 4-1 result.
So another disappointing trip on their travels for the young Blues who have now conceded nine goals in their last two away games. They really are struggling for consistency this season and while they haven't lost two games in a row they haven't won two games in a row either. David Wilkes will be hoping they can keep the losing side of that equation going with a win at home to Shrewsbury Town next Saturday.
United line-up :
Adam Bradley, Martin Graham, Dan Kirkup, Matty Bell, Matthew Blake, Andy Hardman, Paul Gardiner, Shaun Vipond, Pete Ferris, Rob Bainbridge, James Earl.
Used substitutes :
Martin Stewart, Richard Hoban and Ashley Combe.
Other results in the division :
Blackpool 1-3 Rochdale
Bury 1-3 Preston
Chester 2-2 Tranmere
Shrewsbury 0-1 Burnley
Stockport 1-3 Wigan
Walsall 1-2 Macclesfield
Wrexham 0-1 Port Vale
Updated Youth Team Results : Click here
Updated Youth Team Table : Click here