Micky Mellon praised a "man of the match" performance from Will Sutton as Latics cruised into the FA Cup first round proper with a 4-2 win over Halifax Town.

Sutton's shot was turned in by Scott High towards the end of the first half, with Oldham going into the half-time break 4-1 up in their fourth round qualifier.

Mike Fondop fired in the first after 10 minutes, and cleverly closed down the keeper to another after Josh Lundstram had made it 2-0 moments earlier.

Sutton's diverted effort restored a three-goal cushion before the break, after Billy Waters had pulled a goal back for the visitors.

And Mellon was delighted with the impact the 21-year-old had on the game overall in his first start of the season, playing on the right of a back three.

"He was man of the match by a country mile," said the Latics boss.

"If you want to know about attitude and character that's a boy that hasn't featured.

Micky Mellon has praised Will Sutton's attitudeMicky Mellon has praised Will Sutton's attitude (Image: Phill Smith)

"If any young players want to understand what kind of character and attitude that you have to have as a player that's not in the team then look at Will Sutton. He hasn't played and he comes in, and he seamlessly comes in, and he was fantastic. Brilliant at everything.

"I was so pleased with him because he's that type of character that you like so much.

"I said at the end 'if you haven't got man of the match pal, then I don't know what you have to do to get it', but I believe he's got that and he thoroughly deserves that.

"He can certainly go home tonight and say that he had a 90-odd minute top performance and I'm so pleased that we've got him here because he's a young local boy that's come through the ranks, he's been developed here at Oldham and it's great that we can do that and I'm really pleased that he's stepped in and performed that way."