Morrison back with bang in reserves win

Morrison, playing his first game for nine weeks, warmed up a bitterly-cold Valley Parade by lashing home from 25 yards.

The winger burst into life midway through the first half, cutting in from the left flank before rocketing a fierce cross-shot beyond the grasp of keeper Terry Smith and into the top corner.

It was the perfect pick-me-up for a player desperate to make up for lost time after a back injury.

And he will hope it's enough to persuade the watching Colin Todd to give him the nod at MK Dons on Saturday.

Morrison almost created a second goal after half an hour. He whipped in a cross for Nick Smith but the first-year apprentice's header was kept out by an instinctive parry from his namesake.

But City were two up within two minutes as Smith again blocked Smith but Joe Brown, another player eyeing a first-team recall, was on hand to slot in the loose ball.

Oldham created little in the first half, with Jason Taylor's long shot the

closest to ruffling Russell Howarth as it slammed against the advertising boards.

Smith began the second half with two chances to increase City's lead. The keeper blocked the first from Tom Kearney's through ball and watched with relief as the youngster slid another effort the wrong side of the post.

Simon Ainge diverted a Terrell Forbes volley over the City bar in a rare counter, before Craig Bentham's surging run set up Morrison for an effort he was unable to keep down.

Morrison had done his job and was off the field by the time Oldham pulled one back. Howarth pushed away a Taylor free-kick with four minutes left but the corner from veteran midfielder David Eyres deceived him and curled straight inside the far post.

But it came too late to deny City, who had Bentham and Brown booked, a long-overdue first league win.

City reserves: Howarth, Swift, Wright, Kearney, Denvers, Ainge, McGuire (Claisse 77), Bentham, Smith, Brown, Morrison (Thornton 77). Subs (not used): O'Brien, Mitchell, Saynor.