Plymouth enhanced their play-off claims with a win at Oldham whose hopes of an automatic promotion slot were dealt a blow as a result.

It was Plymouth's fifth victory in seven games as Micky Evans notched their winner to inflict a sixth home defeat in the league on Oldham.

Plymouth looked nervous early on but soon settled down after Oldham had wasted a number of decent chances.

Paul Sturrock's side scored the only goal of the game after 39 minutes.

Striker Evans made space for himself on the edge of the box before firing through a crowd of players and into the net for his sixth goal of the season.

Oldham battled hard but their only real chance of an equaliser came after the break when Wayne Andrews' spectacular overhead kick was cleared off the line by Paul Wotton.

Oldham: Miskelly, Haining, Beharall, Armstrong, Murray, Duxbury, Darren Sheridan, Carss, Eyres, Burgess, Andrews. Subs: Murphy, Killen, Boshell, Appleby, Eyre.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Worrell, Wotton, Coughlan, Aljofree, Norris, Adams, Friio, Bent, Evans, Keith. Subs: McCormick, Stonebridge, McGlinchey, Bernard, Phillips.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)