Mike Fondop scored his seventh goal in nine games to set Oldham Athletic on their way to what manager Micky Mellon described as "a valuable three points".

Latics' trip to Sutton United was their first National League fixture since a first home defeat of the season, to Solihull Moors a fortnight ago.

Mellon's men had started the recovery with a convincing FA Cup win over Halifax Town to earn their place in the first round proper.

But the Oldham boss said it was encouraging that winning habit had been retained on their return to league action, particularly at what he regards as one of the division's most difficult venues.

And it was a hat-trick of headers that fired Latics up into fifth.

"This is a tough place to come, and you have to be good at what the game's going to ask you, get your head around that and show the right attitude and get proper results like we did today," said Mellon.

"I think we showed all the qualities that we needed in this type of game. Every game's different. This game was different to Solihull and Halifax and you need to show different qualities."

Fondop gave Latics the lead in the 18th minute when he headed home Mark Kitching's cross into the box, with Kai Payne involved in the build-up on his debut.

Mike Fondop celebrates his goal with Mark Kitching, who provided the assistMike Fondop celebrates his goal with Mark Kitching, who provided the assist (Image: Thomas Lee Stacey)

There had been opportunities to extend their lead and they regretted not taking them when Will Davies equalised for the hosts two minutes into the second half, following up clinically when his initial effort had rebounded off the post.

But Charlie Raglan restored Oldham's lead five minutes later with another header, thumping home Tom Conlon's free kick into the box.

James Norwood, who was a menace to the Sutton defence after replacing Kane Drummond on the hour, completed the scoreline in the first minute of stoppage time.

Norwood controlled a long ball forward and played it short to Fondop, who sprayed it wide to substitute Jake Caprice. The right back immediately pumped the ball into the box, finding Norwood at the near post to head past Steve Arnold.

"I will always show respect to the opposition but I think we would probably say that we have probably five, maybe even six, chances that we would be very disappointed that we don't take, but it's good. We're getting into the right areas, we're creating opportunities and we're mixing our game up a bit and make you defend because we've got good players that can do that.

"We probably should have had a few more but that's probably me being greedy.

"It was a satisfying performance.

"We can organise the players but at the end of the day they cross the line and they go and put in the effort and put in the performance so I'm really pleased for the players, really pleased with the players, and again to see the players and the supporters at the end is what it's all about."