Oldham Athletic secured fifth place in the National League with a commanding 2-0 victory over bottom-dwelling Ebbsfleet United on Monday, closing the regular season before 7,493 sun-drenched supporters at Boundary Park.

Joe Garner, named man of the match, struck either side of halftime to complete the scoring on 86 minutes, pouncing to head home after Vimal Yoganathan’s shot had beaten goalkeeper Felix Goddard and cannoned off the crossbar. Garner’s opener had arrived from the spot in the 35th minute after referee Richard Aspinall ruled he was fouled twice in quick succession, the striker dispatching the penalty low down the centre.

Manager Micky Mellon, who had already guided Latics to their first playoff berth in 19 years, made five changes from the defeat at Forest Green. Newcomers Reagan Ogle, Jordan Rossiter, Kian Harratt and Joe Pritchard—whose third-minute drive struck the post—joined Garner in the starting lineup, while second-half substitutes Mike Fondop, Corry Evans, Tom Conlon and Jes Uchegbulam kept the pressure on a visiting defence repeatedly indebted to Goddard.

Oldham will host Halifax Town in the eliminator on Wednesday, 14 May. “It was important that we needed to get a win,” Mellon said. “It was a really professional performance… The players showed good decision-making qualities.” He praised Garner’s competitiveness and intelligence, adding: “He is going to be big for us.”

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