Colchester United claimed their first win of the season at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park, winning 2-1 courtesy of two first half goals from Freddie Sears and Noah Chilvers.
A bright start from the U's saw them race into a two-goal lead in the opening twelve minutes of the game. Freddie Sears converted from the spot after Brendan Wiredu had been fouled in the area, with Noah Chilvers driving a low effort into the bottom corner two minutes later to make it 0-2 to Colchester United.
The home side put the pressure on in the second half, making a breakthrough with Dylan Bahamboula's effort in the seventy-fifth minute, but Colchester United would hold on to claim a first victory of the season.
Hayden Mullins named a side with four changes to the starting eleven, with Tom Eastman, Ryan Clampin, Cole Skuse all missing from the matchday eighteen, while Luke Hannant dropped to the bench.
Coming in to replace those missing, was Tommy Smith who had recovered from a back injury, Sylvester Jasper, Brendan Wiredu, and Charlie Daniels who was making his full debut for the U's.
The U's were given an early opportunity to take the lead in the match, when Brendan Wiredu was fouled in the penalty area by Keillor-Dunn for the Latics, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Freddie Sears stepped up as he did on Tuesday night to convert from the spot and give Colchester United a tenth minute lead.
Things only got better for Hayden Mullins' travelling side, with a second quickfire goal at Boundary Park. Noah Chilvers added to the U's tally two minutes later with a sublime placed strike that arrowed into the bottom corner of Laurie Walker's goal.
Shamal George had to produce a fine save from Keillor-Dunn's effort after Welch-Hayes had lost his man on the edge of the area, but the U's 'keeper was up to the challenge and able to keep a strong wrist to punch the ball over the bar.
George was key in ensuring the U's kept their two goal advantage, when he stopped Hallam Hope's effort with half an hour played. Luke Chambers misjudged his header back to goal allowing Hope to get in on goal and take an effort, but George made himself big to deny with Keillor-Dunn firing the follow-up high over the stand.
The home side were unable to make a breakthrough in the U's defence, with Colchester United heading to the dressing room at half time two goals ahead.
The U's defence had to endure a long spell of pressure at the start of the second period, although the Latics didn't really force George into any saves. The pressure was on the defence, but Smith, Chambers and co. were able to hold strong to deny the home side any foothold in the game.
Noah Chilvers and Alan Judge combined well from a corner to get an effort on goal, but Chilvers was being hassled all the time and unable to get a powerful shot away. Wiredu attempted to get a shot away in the follow up, but the Latics' were able to clear quickly.
The home side got one back with fifteen minutes to go, with Dylan Bahamboula on target for the home side. A driving run from Vaughan wasn't checked by the U's defence, allowing him to slide the ball over to Bahamboula, who slotted home from just inside the penalty area.
But the U's rallied, regrouped and calmed themselves down to settle in to the final period of the match, looking to hold on to what would turn out to be the first win of the season.
Oldham Athletic were pushing forward, but lacked the cutting edge that would have seen them put another past Shamal George in the Colchester United goal, with the U's looking to slow the game down and hold on to possession in the final few minutes.
Cameron Coxe went close to adding a third, a goal which would have killed the game off. But his header from Miles Welch-Hayes' cross was palmed away and dealt with by the home 'keeper Walker as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time.
Mullins' side were clever in the last moments of the game to win free kicks and hold on to the ball in areas that wouldn't have been dangerous if the home side had picked them off, with Colchester United holding on to claim a first three points of the season.
Colchester United move up to thirteenth in Sky Bet League Two with five points from the opening four games, while Oldham Athletic remain bottom of the table, yet to pick up a point in the 2021/22 campaign.
Next up for Hayden Mullins' side, a return back up to the North West, and to Rochdale next Friday evening. The Dale sit fifteenth in League Two after also collecting their first win of the season this afternoon, a 3-1 win away at Northampton Town.
Oldham Athletic starting XI: Walker, Clarke, Hart, Cisse (Diarra 56'), Piergianni, Adams (Luamba 46'), Hope, Keillor-Dunn (Vaughan 46'), Bahamboula, Bettache, Sheehan.
Unused subs: Danielewicz, Whelan, Dearnley, Fage.
Colchester United starting XI: George, Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith, Wiredu, Nouble, Judge, Sears (Hannant 76'), Chilvers (Kennedy 80'), Jasper (Coxe 82'), Daniels.
Unused subs: Turner, Tchamadeu, Tovide, Beadle.