Oldham 0 Wolves 3 - match report

Second-half goals from man of the match Kevin McDonald (49), Michael Jacobs (88) and substitute James Henry (90+3) gave Kenny Jackett's side their equal biggest win since August.

But Wolves remain third in League One, two points behind Leyton Orient and four adrift of Brentford after the Os won 2-0 against Coventry and the Bees 3-1 against Bristol City.

The margin of Wolves' victory could have been more emphatic as Nouha Dicko fired against the bar in the first half after being foiled on the line by keeper Mark Oxley early on.

There was a hungry performance from Bakary Sako and numerous other promising displays including Jack Price and Dicko as the squad look at their strongest this season.

Wolves head coach Jackett made one change from the side that beat Bristol City 3-1 on Saturday.

Henry lost his place through form for the first time since he signed for the club to be replaced by Sako, who was making his first start since Gillingham away.

Celtic target Leigh Griffiths was among the substitutes as his move to Parkhead remains in the balance, with no further bids from the Hoops.

In a lively, highly competitive first half, Oldham created the first chance in the eight minute when James Dayton's angled shot was beaten away by keeper Aaron McCarey.

Wolves replied quickly and went desperately close to an opener in the 12th minute.

Sako made room down the left and swept over a cross for Nouha Dicko, whose effort was superbly blocked on the line by Oxley.

A minute later Oxley was in action again as Sako's right-foot volley from Michael Jacobs's corner had the Latics keeper at full stretch diving to his right to fingertip the ball away.

Oldham returned to the attack and in the 17th minute, Jonson Clarke-Harris advanced before hitting a low drive from 25 yards that McCarey tipped away.

Wolves appeared to have a decent shout for a penalty when Lee Evans appeared to be sent sprawling chasing a pass but referee Graham Salisbury waved play on.

Wolves, fortified by a hungry-looking Sako and another impressive outing from Jack Price in midfield, were playing some good passing football.

And they threatened again in the 25th minute when Sako picked up the ball in the inside left position.

Spinning his marker, he launched a shot on the turn that had plenty of power but was too close to Oxley to trouble the Oldham keeper.

Ten minutes later, Dayton wasted a chance to put the Latics in front when he sliced wide from the edge of the box after Jonanthan Grounds squared across the box after Jacobs had lost possession upfield.

But Wolves went closest in the half a minute later when dangerman Dicko flashed a shot on the turn against the bar from 20 yards, the ball bouncing harmlessly away.

Wolves maintained their momentum as they looked for the breakthrough before half-time and Jacobs's chip floated inches over after he started a move that featured good interplay between McDonald and Price.

The visitors had to withstand some late pressure in first-half time added on as Oldham won two corners.

Wolves weren't helped by some unconvincing goalkeeping from McCarey, who was in no man's land for both flag kicks only for his blushes to be spared.

Price eventually cleared from the first one and Jonson Clarke-Harris should have done better from the second, only to screw well wide with a decent sight of goal.

Wolves introduced Kevin Doyle for Evans at half-time and Oldham were soon made to pay for their wastefulness as the visitors scored from the first attack of the second half.

McDonald showed typical calmness as he opted to place his shot into the corner of the net to Oxley's right as he ran onto a pass back from Jacobs, who dribbled across goal cutting in from the right.

Three minutes later, Wolves twice went desperately close to a second goal.

Jacobs showed superb skill and close control to slalom through a tackle to leave himself with only Oxley to beat but the keeper showed fine reflexes to block, then a defender got back to hack Dicko's hooked follow-up off the line.

Oldham had their moments as the game opened up in the second half and James Tarkowski headed just over at the far post on 61.

But Wolves almost grabbed a second goal nine minute later when Danny Batth flew in for a header which flashed just wide from Jacobs's corner.

Gary Harkins, who scored twice and was involved in four of Oldham's goals in their astonishing 5-4 comeback win against Peterborough on Saturday, tested McCarey, who beat away his well-struck shot and the rebound came too quickly for substitute Danny Philliskirk to convert.

Wolves clinched the points in ruthless fashion with a superbly-worked second goal that said everything about the way they are mastering a more fluid passing game.

Man of the match McDonald spotted Ricketts sprinting forwards from right back and rolled the ball into his path for a quick cross that was met by a crisp, first-time, swerving finish from Jacobs that gave Oxley no chance.

Henry, who came on for Sako in the 79th minute, made it 3-0 in the third of the four minutes of time added on when he slid in to fire into the roof of the net after Dicko had cut inside and Oxley parried his drive.