Oldham claimed their first win in seven league games to leapfrog opponents Exeter near the foot of League One.
Exeter could twice have taken an early lead when Bertie Cozic clipped the bar from 30 yards and Adam Stansfield was denied by home keeper Darryl Flahavan.
They were made to pay for this wastefulness on 51 minutes when Deane Smalley finished crisply from 12 yards.
The home side sealed the points seven minutes later when when Paul Heffernan's deflected shot looped in.
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale told BBC Radio Devon:
"I think it was a fair result and I think they deserved their win.
"I'm disappointed to have lost and disappointed we didn't play better, so we'll have to be better next week."
86:06 Substitution Ryan Brooke on for Paul Heffernan.
85:45 Danny Whitaker produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
85:29 Scott Golbourne takes a shot. Alex Marrow gets a block in.
84:05 The ball is crossed by Steve Tully, Alex Marrow manages to make a clearance.
82:30 Scott Golbourne has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
81:25 Corner from the right by-line taken by Dale Stephens, clearance made by Alex Russell.
79:36 Indirect free kick taken by Scott Golbourne. Matthew Taylor has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.
79:36 Substitution Richard Logan on for Barry Corr.
79:36 Keigan Parker concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Duffy.
79:16 Scott Golbourne crosses the ball, Sean Gregan manages to make a clearance.
78:20 Alex Russell takes the free kick.
78:20 Booking The referee books Alex Marrow for unsporting behaviour.
77:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Marrow on Adam Stansfield.
75:57 The ball is swung over by Keigan Parker, Matthew Taylor manages to make a clearance.
75:03 Danny Whitaker takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.
72:48 Steve Tully sends in a cross, Sean Gregan manages to make a clearance.
71:53 Handball decision goes against Steve Tully. Free kick taken by Darryl Flahavan.
71:10 Adam Stansfield produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the crossbar.
70:47 Scott Golbourne takes a shot. Joe Jacobson gets a block in.
70:33 A cross is delivered by Neil Saunders, Joe Jacobson makes a clearance.
67:24 The assistant referee signals for offside against Adam Stansfield. Darryl Flahavan restarts play with the free kick.
66:25 Adam Stansfield fouled by Joe Jacobson, the ref awards a free kick. Alex Russell restarts play with the free kick.
65:29 Alex Marrow fouled by Barry Corr, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Darryl Flahavan.
64:16 Dale Stephens takes the outswinging corner, Daniel Seaborne manages to make a clearance.
64:05 Keigan Parker crosses the ball, clearance made by Richard Duffy.
63:26 Substitution Marcus Stewart goes off and Neil Saunders comes on.
62:59 Handball decision goes against Paul Heffernan. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Marriott.
61:58 Effort from the edge of the area by Adam Stansfield goes wide of the left-hand post.
59:18 Andy Marriott takes the free kick.
59:18 Substitution Steve Tully on for Ryan Harley.
59:18 Unfair challenge on Daniel Seaborne by Paul Heffernan results in a free kick.
57:39 Joe Jacobson provided the assist for the goal.
57:39 GOAL - Paul Heffernan:Oldham 2 - 0 Exeter Paul Heffernan fires in a goal from inside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Oldham 2-0 Exeter.
56:48 Andy Marriott takes the free kick.
56:48 Booking Sean Gregan is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
56:22 Foul by Sean Gregan on Bertrand Cozic, free kick awarded.
55:15 Dale Stephens crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, Richard Duffy makes a clearance.
55:15 Booking The referee shows Richard Duffy a yellow card.
54:57 Danny Whitaker fouled by Richard Duffy, the ref awards a free kick.
54:30 The referee blows for offside against Adam Stansfield. Free kick taken by Darryl Flahavan.
54:06 Free kick awarded for a foul by Adam Stansfield on Joe Jacobson. Direct free kick taken by Joe Jacobson.
53:45 Unfair challenge on Daniel Seaborne by Sean Gregan results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Marriott.
53:17 Outswinging corner taken by Dale Stephens from the right by-line, clearance made by Matthew Taylor.
52:55 The ball is crossed by Paul Heffernan, Matthew Taylor makes a clearance.
52:06 The ball is delivered by Kelvin Lomax, save by Andy Marriott.
50:15 Assist by Dean Furman.
50:15 GOAL - Deane Smalley:Oldham 1 - 0 Exeter Deane Smalley finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Oldham 1-0 Exeter.
48:29 The ball is crossed by Adam Stansfield.
47:48 Centre by Keigan Parker.
47:22 Unfair challenge on Joe Jacobson by Adam Stansfield results in a free kick. Dale Stephens takes the direct free kick.
47:08 Kelvin Lomax crosses the ball, Richard Duffy manages to make a clearance.
46:08 Keigan Parker produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
45:01 Substitution Keigan Parker joins the action as a substitute, replacing Joe Colbeck.
Half Time
45:00+1:20 The referee blows for half time.
45:00+0:51 The ball is crossed by Joe Jacobson, clearance by Daniel Seaborne.
44:21 Joe Colbeck takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.
43:53 Danny Whitaker crosses the ball, clearance made by Richard Duffy.
41:34 Inswinging corner taken by Dale Stephens from the left by-line, save made by Andy Marriott.
40:56 The official flags Barry Corr offside. Indirect free kick taken by Darryl Flahavan.
38:20 Substitution Dean Furman is brought on as a substitute for Paul Black.
37:21 The ball is crossed by Adam Stansfield.
36:13 Alex Marrow gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bertrand Cozic. Indirect free kick taken by Daniel Seaborne.
34:56 Richard Duffy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul Black. Dale Stephens takes the free kick.
34:25 Danny Whitaker takes a shot. Matthew Taylor gets a block in.
33:51 Danny Whitaker has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
32:25 Alex Russell concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Colbeck. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Jacobson.
31:36 Sean Gregan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adam Stansfield. Alex Russell takes the direct free kick.
29:51 Paul Heffernan is ruled offside. Matthew Taylor takes the free kick.
29:29 Joe Colbeck takes a shot. Save by Andy Marriott.
28:26 Corner taken short by Alex Russell. The ball is crossed by Alex Russell, clearance by Sean Gregan. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Scott Golbourne from the right by-line to the near post, Dale Stephens makes a clearance.
26:11 Alex Russell takes the indirect free kick.
26:11 Booking Deane Smalley is cautioned by the ref for persistent infringement.
25:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Marrow on Alex Russell.
25:03 Dale Stephens challenges Adam Stansfield unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Richard Duffy.
24:16 Effort on goal by Danny Whitaker from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.
23:43 The ball is swung over by Marcus Stewart, Adam Stansfield takes a shot. Save by Darryl Flahavan.
23:34 Richard Duffy sends in a cross.
22:27 Centre by Joe Colbeck, Matthew Taylor manages to make a clearance.
19:37 The ball is crossed by Dale Stephens.
18:15 Danny Whitaker has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.
15:31 Inswinging corner taken by Dale Stephens from the left by-line, save made by Andy Marriott.
14:33 Corner taken by Dale Stephens from the left by-line played to the near post, Matthew Taylor manages to make a clearance.
14:07 Danny Whitaker takes a shot. Matthew Taylor gets a block in.
12:43 Free kick taken by Andy Marriott.
12:43 Booking Caution for Joe Colbeck.
12:19 Scott Golbourne fouled by Joe Colbeck, the ref awards a free kick.
9:50 Paul Heffernan is ruled offside. Andy Marriott takes the free kick.
8:39 Bertrand Cozic takes a shot.
2:12 Marcus Stewart challenges Joe Colbeck unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kelvin Lomax takes the free kick.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
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