ROUGHYEDS boss Sean Long praised his team’s tenacity as they overcame a two-point deficit at half time to snatch victory from Rochdale Hornets, writes Kasey Smith.

Rochdale had been in front since the 34th minute – a victory that would have blown the title race wide open once again – but Oldham stayed in the contest and took their chance when it arrived.

“I knew we’d find a way to get back into the game and get the win,” said Long. “You always have a chance to win a game, no matter what.

“I spoke to the lads about playing for the 80 minutes and, credit to them, they stuck to the plan.

“But we just made it too hard for ourselves, we started really well in the first quarter but the second was just terrible.

“We just allowed them back in, they got a sniff, bagged a couple of tries and had a real crack at us.

“We just have to be on our mettle every week, it’s a local derby and we nearly got punched in the face.

Long gave an update on second-rower Brad Gallagher who went down in back play and left the field with an oxygen mask on having received extensive on-field treatment.

After the game, Gallagher revealed he had blacked out having looked exasperated in the baking Rochdale heat.

But the Roughyeds boss did not believe it was as serious as the one stand-off Danny Craven suffered who was also forced off.

“The tackle on Danny looked like a hip drop to me but he’s been class for us all year and we lost him at a bad period because of how good his game management is.”