Bobbie Goulding cut a lonely figure, sat deep in contemplation at the end of this scrappy, disjointed game punctuated by 30 penalties.

And - despite the fact that there was little lucid football on display over the 80 minutes - there was much to consider as his team's cavalier disregard for ball-safety had handed Oldham the majority of possession and placed itself under unnecessary pressure for long periods.

IT was also clear from early doors that referee James Childs was way out of his depth - a fact that Oldham's old head Rob Roberts capitalised on, jerking the ref's lead at every opportunity to punishing effect.

After an early threat as Chis Campbell haered after a teasing grubber, the first half hour became a grinding battle of attrition; Hornets' Carl Sneyd and Oldham's Mick Nanyn trading pairs of penalties to lock the scores at 4-all.

And, with Oldham using their gifted possession to pound impotently at the Hornets line, it was only a matter of time before they got lucky: which they did after 38 minutes when a speculative last tackle pass somehow stuck to Goulden's hand to take Oldham in 12-4 at the break.

The second half began in better style for Hornets. Decent approach play saw Dave Newton burst clear and lunge in by the posts. But Mr Childs was the only person in the ground to see a knock-on in the process and gave Oldham the 20 metre restart. In the debate that followed, Newton was dispatched for 10 minutes for passing is version of events to the befuddled official.

Oldham took advantage of the extra man and marched downfield where Roberts strolled in off a Coyle pass.

With Hornets struggling to find any fluency and Oldham reverting to ploughing up the middle, the next quarter passed with little to recall, with only the regular sound of the referee's whistle to keep people awake.

On 65 minutes Oldham put the game to bed as Roden worked space for Halliwell to score and, just when it looked like they'd back it up with a field-length try, Hoyle was hauled down by Chris Campbell who'd tracked back 90 metres to make a top drawer tackle.

And this sparked Hornets into life. On 69 minutes the ball was shipped wide to Alex Brown who it the gas and blasted straight through Onyango to score by the flag. Not to be outdone, Chris Campbell seized a Joseph grubber virtually on his own line and - again - showed Oldham's wide men his pace as he went the distance to score and grab Hornets a much needed bonus point. Sneyd added the extras.

There's no denying, Oldham did enough to win. They played a speedy, direct game that's straightforward and effective. Hornets, on the other hand, lacked a combative edge at half back and handed Oldham enough ball to win this game five times over.

In the end, though, Bobbie Goulding needn't be too downhearted. The way Hornets stuck to the task to claw back a bonus point was creditable. And to be one try worse than the team that has league-winning intentions shows determination on defence.

And, with this season's Oldham odyssey out of the way, Hornets can now concentrate on putting more fluent performances together.