Blackpool travelled back from Oldham’s Chapel Road training ground with all three points after Jamie Menagh hit a Beckham-esque goal from the second half-restart.
The Seasiders had only won two of their previous eight Youth Alliance’s fixtures heading in to the match.
Oldham were left to rue missed opportunities as they failed to live up to the standards they have set themselves this season.
Latics youngster Jack Laird had a goal disallowed in the first half following a foul by Kyle Riley on the keeper.
Riley also hit a post and missed a free header while Laird, Chris Sutherland, Ryan Burns and Carlton McIntosh were all guilty of spurning good opportunities to score.
Blackpool weren’t without chances themselves with Ryan Gratton going close for the visitors.
Blackpool then made Oldham pay for the profligacy in front of goal within seconds of the second half getting underway.
The ball was played back from the kick off and midfielder Menagh spotted Oldham keeper Luke Simpson off his goal-line. He hit a right foot effort with unerring accuracy into the home-sides goal to register an early contender for Goal of the Season.
Matt Challinor and substitute Alex Adie could and should have made the margin of victory more comfortable but the Seasiders were fortunate to survive a late scare when McIntosh failed to hit the target from two yards out in the final minute.
That just about summed up Tony Philliskirk’s sides miserable day in front of goal and earned Blackpool a much needed three points.
