REACTION: Mellon's praise as Oldham's winning run continues

The onus was on Latics to back-up beating then joint leaders Forest Green Rovers in midweek at a side sitting bottom of the National League, having celebrated just one win all season.

And manager Mellon was delighted with the way his team responded to that pressure situation with a fourth win on the spin, and eighth unbeaten.

Otis Khan marked his full debut by scoring a late winner, after Mark Kitching's early second half opener had been cancelled out by ex-Latic Dominic Poleon from the spot in the 81st minute.

"It's good that we're winning games of football and coming to difficult places like this because it was a mindset I think tonight; playing against a team that's not been winning a lot, just come off the back of beating a team that was top of the league, half past five kick-off, miles away from home," noted Mellon.

"Every question mark was going to be on us about how our attitude was going to be in order to try to get a result this evening and I think we answered that emphatically, so that was important.

"We gave away a cheap goal from a set play, which is unlike us. But the more impressive thing was the character to keep going.

"Sometimes if you're so in control you can really get yourself disappointed and play the victim in that moment, but the lads just kept going and kept pushing and pushing and pushing. All credit to Ebbsfleet they kept coming as well, but I believe we scored a deserved winner and I'm pleased to get another valuable three points for the road."

Otis Khan scored a late winner at Ebbsfleet (Image: Thomas)

And Mellon was particularly pleased with summer signing Khan's contribution.

"You'll only be as good as your squad and it's important that we continue to be able to dip into the squad and people can come in and perform like Otis does. It's important we're able to do that," said the Scot.

"Otis has come in and shown when they're not playing the players here are expected to work very hard so that when they come into the team they're able to carry things forward and that's what he did tonight."

Fellow substitute Jesurun Uchegbulam provided the assist for Khan, and Mellon added: "I know what this group's capable of and what we expect of each other and I knew that we would keep going, and that's the fitness levels of the group as well. They'll get you eventually and Jez has come on and done terrific. All the subs that have come on have put a good shift in for us.

"It was a great little ball across and a terrific finish which I'm delighted to see from Otis."

Despite conceding the foul from which Poleon equalised, Kitching paved the way for the win with his second goal in five games, and Mellon commended the full back for his endeavour before and after earning his place back in the starting XI.

"I think he's been great since he came back into the team," said Mellon of the left back.

"He was determined to get himself into the team. We kept communication open with him and said when you get the opportunity go and take it and he certainly has with both hands."