Micky Mellon celebrates ‘incredible achievement’ as Mat Hudson wins Golden Glove

Oldham manager Micky Mellon celebrated an “incredible achievement” as goalkeeper Mat Hudson was awarded the League Two Golden Glove and set a new club clean-sheet record following Saturday’s season-ending 3-0 win over Accrington.

Hudson has started every league game this season and would have played every minute but for an injury in the previous game at Newport.

But he recovered in time for the season finale and secured a 19th shut-out, with the goals at the other end scored by Dynel Simeu, Kane Taylor and Will Sutton.

“You want to go out with a win and take it into the summer. You want to score goals and keep a clean sheet and I’m delighted we got Mat that record,” said Mellon.

“We’ve had to work really hard and considering it’s our first season back in this league, to be able to do that is certainly an incredible achievement.

“I was on tenterhooks every time they went near the goal but he did what he’s done all season and he’s managed to get that clean sheet and we were all really delighted for him.”

And the win meant a 10th-placed finish in League Two for Latics, the club’s highest in 23 years, with Mellon adding: “We wanted to finish as high as possible.

“When you go into a new division, your first goal is to stay up and then you get a feel for it and you have different targets.

“To be 10th is a good turnaround for us.”

Defender Simeu put Oldham ahead with a 26th-minute header from Taylor’s cross.

Taylor then doubled the lead by rounding off a flowing move with a side-footed finish into the top corner in the 64th minute.

Defender Sutton, who had been deployed up front after veteran striker Joe Garner was substituted early in the second half, completed the scoring with a header from a corner that he had earned through good hold-up play.

Hudson was not overly tested by an Accrington side who were lacking quality in the final third, but he made a superb double stop late on to deny Conor Grant from distance, then Paddy Madden on the follow-up.

Accrington manager John Doolan said: “The lads have had a great season, they’ve given everything and I’m proud of every one of them.

“They tried their best today and had a right go, just lacked quality in the key moments.

“I don’t want to dissect the game because with the resources, we can be proud of this club and what it’s achieved, again.

“There was a point where we were on the brink of things looking up but unfortunately things happened and we didn’t get there. But the lads stuck together and we’ve made progress over the season, as a club, on and off the field.

“We have to go forward with that now.”