Blues boss Steve Tilson was disappointed that his team let a one goal advantage slip to defeat against the Latics at Roots Hall.
He was generally pleased with the team's performance but told Blues World: "We started well and we should have been out of sight by half time. We have let them score two goals from set pieces and that is frustrating. In the first half Walker should have scored, we had a goal disallowed and have also hit the post."
Tilly continued: "We dominated at the start of the second half and a good move has led to our goal. When we scored, I thought we were going to go on from there, but we have allowed their player to score from a free header. That kind of thing is especially frustrating. We played well and should have gone on and won. I'm pleased with the performance, but obviously not the result."
On the otherhand Oldham manager John Sheridan was happy with the three points if not the overall performance after watching his Latics side win 2-1.
Facing a Blues team with only one defeat in 13 games, Oldham trailed to James Walker's 53rd minute cracking goal before securing victory with two goals in four minutes from Chris Taylor and Lee Hughes after poor defending from set pieces.
Sheridan said: "It was a steady away performance. We can play a lot better but you can't moan when you come here and get three points. There were one or two things we can improve on but we looked solid against a team with a good home record. The tempo of the game was very poor in the first half. I just wanted a spark from someone but I thought we did well in the second half and caused them one or two problems. I didn't think we worked too hard to keep the ball (in the first half) and they were getting too much possession for my liking. I said at half-time we needed to up the game and the tempo because it was there if they wanted it."
The three points kept Latics one place outside the play-offs, albeit only four points behind leaders Leicester City. With Walsall visiting Boundary Park on Tuesday, Sheridan is looking for his players to put the sort of run together that could give them Championship football next season.
He continued: "It's very tight. I said at the start of the season there'll be 12 teams who think they can get out of this division. There'll be lots of twists and turns but we have to worry about ourselves. It's important we get a run together because if you go on a run, you get yourself in a decent position."
After 454 games for the Shrimpers Kevin Maher should not have been surprised by his ovation at the start but admitted he was: "It (the reception) was great. You're never sure what's going to happen but I was here for 10 years and it was a privilege to captain the side in their most succesful period. I had some great times here and I feel privileged to have played for the club for so long. I was with them for nearly a third of my life and enjoyed so many great moments. It's nice to know the fans appreciate and remember that and I'd like to say thank you to them for the way they greeted me."
After a decade of loyal service with the Seasiders, Maher confessed to finding it strange to be suddenly lining up against them but that was all put behind him once the game kicks off.
Kevin continued: "Once the whistle blows then your professionalism takes over. You're out there for another game and you want to win. That's what we did but it wasn't the best of games by any stretch of the imagination. I don't think anyone who saw it is going to go back home shouting about it. We're just pleased to have ground out the win though because we didn't play well and not many teams come to Roots Hall and get a win."
This all seemed to pass Fulham loanee Rob Milsom by in his first game as a Shrimper. He was just excited playing first team football again as well as backing Blues to bounce right back on Tuesday night against Cheltenham.
Milsom told www.southendunited.co.uk: "I actually thought we played quite well especially as we were up against a strong Oldham side. I thought we played some good stuff and didn't deserve to lose but in the end we were undone by two set pieces which was a little bit disappointing. We go to Cheltenham tomorrow (Tuesday) and it's an early chance to put things right again.
Regarding himself, Rob continued: "You can't beat match experience and playing in front of crowds. Every player needs games and I'm no different. It's going to do me good. I'm here for at least a month and then we'll see what happens."