Crewe Alex slipped to defeat at Boundary Park as hosts Oldham secured their League One status for another season on Saturday.

Jonathan Forte got the only goal of the game to get the points the home side needed – despite the Railwaymen being the better side for large parts of the game.

Marcus Haber, Callum Saunders and Brad Inman all went close but couldn’t find the net in the 14th league blank of the campaign.

Relegated Crewe have now won just once in 24 matches, and are without a victory in 15.

CREWE failed to make the most of the opportunities they created at Boundary Park as they went down 1-0 at Oldham Athletic.

Jonathan Forte's goal just before the hour proved to be the difference in the end, but it was the missed chances, in the first-half, that Crewe were left to rue.

It now means they have gone 15 games without a win, and won just one of their 24 games since a 2-0 win over the Latics back in November.

Marcus Haber had three good chances in the first-half, while Callum Saunders saw a one-on-one saved by the legs of Joel Coleman as the Alex dominated the opening 45 minutes.

They also enjoyed plenty of the ball after the break, and went close to a leveller through Brad Inman's curling effort which was denied by a terrific one-handed save from Coleman.

The result means John Sheridan's side have won four of their last seven matches to ensure League One survival.

JONATHAN Forte's goal ensured that Athletic will definitely remain in Sky Bet League One next season.

The forward twisted and turned a shot in off a post in the second half of a game relegated Crewe played a full part in, arguably having the better chances.

Not that it matters for Athletic boss John Sheridan, who thanks to this ninth win of his tenure secures safety with two games to spare.

And that thanks to a fourth straight home win, all picked up without conceding a goal.