BACUP boss Brent Peters gave a debut to Accrington Stanley reserve defender Gareth Thornley and it paid dividends.

Peters decided to go with youth - most of his players were aged between 16 and 20 - and the tactic was successful with Thornley scoring the all-important second goal in the second half.

The West View side had a couple of chances in the first half through Jason Lanns, Nicky Taylor and Shaun Cryer missed an open goal.

But they made the breakthrough just before half time when Taylor was fouled in the area and Lanns converted the spot kick.

Bacup doubled their advantage after the break when Damon Gledhill's low hard cross was cleared only as far as Thornley 25 yards out and he cracked the ball home.

With ten minutes left, Bacup's Alex Binnie was caught in possession, an Oldham player nicked the ball and Binnie tackled him and conceded a penalty. Oldham converted it and Bacup, after looking comfortable, had to weather the storm for the final ten minutes but hung on.

BACUP...2 OLDHAM TOWN...1