The key to victory? My son’s hat-trick – Oldham boss Micky Mellon

Micky Mellon was a “proud” dad after seeing his son Michael hit a hat-trick to Oldham to a 3-1 win over Tranmere.

It was the second treble of the season for the on-loan Burnley striker as he took his tally for the campaign to 10.

And his manager was also delighted with the resolve shown by his side after having substitute Mike Fondop sent off with 21 minutes left.

The win was especially sweet for Micky Mellon, who managed Tranmere to two promotions.

Asked what the key to the victory was, he joked: “I think it was my son scoring a hat-trick.

“I am really proud of him and pleased we have him here as our player.

“It is great to see a young striker scoring goals – he did a left foot, right foot and header and deserved a whole lot of credit for that.

“He also put in a shift for the boys as well and keeps his focus. When things have gone against him, such as supporters’ reaction, he just gets on with things and will continue to do his job which is scoring goals.

“He is a cool customer and scored three terrific goals today.”

Reflecting on the match, in which Charlie Whitaker briefly brought Rovers level at the end of the first half, Mellon said: “We had to work really hard for the win which we knew we would have to do, but it was a really good performance.

“And when we went down to 10 men, you saw the togetherness of the group which got us over the line, which was lovely to see that we have a group which fights and battles.

“They are a together group and that has never been in question. When you have been in football a long time, you know when
you have a good dressing room and I know I have that.”

Tranmere boss Andy Crosby kept his players in the dressing room as he conducted a post-match inquest.

Crosby pulled no punches after back-to-back defeats, with this side losing 4-1 at home to Crewe the previous week.

He said: “We were soft. We have a soft underbelly when things start to go against (us) and collapse which is the truth of the situation.

“When there are moments in the game when we have to stick together and demand more of each other, we have been found wanting on too many occasions this season.

“We don’t demand enough of each other, have high enough standards and enough leaders on the pitch and ultimately it is my responsibility as manager of the football club – and I have to fix it.

“We find ourselves in the bottom half of League Two, which has been the previous history of the club being in this position.

“I want us to move forward and not accept it and be happy at that level.”