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Coach Steve Deakin described his side's first-half performance at Rochdale last night as "an example of how NOT to play rugby league football".
 
Roughyeds trailed 20-4 at the interval before a fightback pulled them level at 22-22 with 20 minutes still to play, writes ROGER HALSTEAD.
 
Hornets recovered, however, to achieve their second victory in three derby meetings so far this season. Despite that, Oldham are almost certain to qualify from their group for the last 16 of the Northern Rail Cup.
 
Swinton can't catch them and for Hornets to finish second in the group they would have to wrack up a pile of points in beating Salford at The Willows and Oldham would have to go down at Swinton.
 
That was small consolation for Deaks, however, on a night at Spotland when his Roughyeds failed to deliver and caused concerns about their overall level of performance, particularly in the first half.
 
Revealing that first-half set completion was only 35 per cent, the Oldham boss said: "We left ourselves at the bottom of a big hole and although we pulled back to 22-22 we had left ourselves just a little bit too much to do. It proved once again that if you don't look after the football when you have it you are going to struggle. To compound matters we missed a few one-on-one tackles and they put us on the back foot.
 
"I have raised some issues with the match commissioner about decisions that went against us, but having said that all credit to Rochdale. They displayed outstanding speed and that was the biggest difference between the sides.
 
"We were a lot better in the second half. I wouldn't say we played outstanding football, but at least we controlled the ball better and built pressure, and that was something we never looked like doing in the first half.
 
"At 22-22 I think you would have backed us to win, but we didn't so now we have to regroup, take stock of where we stand in terms of knocks and then prepare for the trip to Aldershot in the cup on Sunday."
 
The team will travel south on Saturday for an overnight stay, but several players will have to be checked out and receive treatment in the next few days before Deaks can start to think about his line-up.
 
Craig Littler, at right centre, limped off early in last night's game with what appeared to be a knee injury. Among others who took knocks were Marcus St Hilaire, Alex Wilkinson and Richard Mervill, while Rob Roberts played with a hand strapped.
 
Said Tamghart, banned for two games by the disciplinary committee, sat out last night's game and will also be ruled out of Sunday's clash with the British Army which kicks off at 1.30pm at Aldershot.
 
Other news today:
 
1 --The Supporters bus to Aldershot on Sunday is definitely going. The decision to proceed was taken last night when the club looked at the interest shown so far. There are still a few places left. Cost per head is £30 To book or to seek further information ring Janet at the club on 0161 628 3677.
 
2 -- Don't forget that the Roughyeds' new reserve team plays its first match at Keighley tonight in a pre-season friendly. Kick off at Cougar Park is 7.30pm. Admission is £3 for adults and free for children. Club officials hope there will be fans there to give the new boys support in their first appearance in Roughyeds colours.