Oldham survived a ferocious Batley fightback to claim a 22-18 victory at Fox’s Biscuits Stadium that head coach Sean Long hailed as proof of his side’s resilience.

The Roughyeds surrendered a 10-0 first-half advantage and trailed 18-14 midway through the second half before Ryan Brierley’s 70th-minute try and Josh Drinkwater’s touchline conversion snatched the crucial Betfred Championship win.

“You come to places like Batley and any win is a good win,” Long told Roughyeds TV. “This was a really gritty win that showed real resilience and steel. We showed character and fight to get that try and defend our line.”

Jack Johnson, recalled with Mo Agoro and Mathieu Pons injured, struck twice in the first half to establish Oldham’s early dominance. The winger, who had scored a hat-trick against the Bulldogs earlier this season, finished off a flowing move up the hill before adding a second from Drinkwater’s floated pass.

Batley responded through Lucas Walshaw’s try just before the interval and surged ahead when substitute Niall Flynn crossed early in the second half. Kieran Dixon’s corner try briefly restored Oldham’s lead, only for Walshaw’s second to put the hosts 18-14 ahead.

Long’s decisive tactical switch saw hooker Matty Wildie replace Dixon, Brierley drop to full-back and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e shift to the wing. The reshuffle paid immediate dividends as Brierley darted through a gap to level before Drinkwater’s nerveless conversion and a late penalty sealed the win.

“I felt I needed to get Brierley on the ball a bit more and wanted two full-backs there swinging,” Long explained. “I thought it could open things up and it showed how adaptable and coachable our lads are.”

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