Oldham 0 albion 2.

DO you know the most pleasing aspect of Albion’s latest victory?

It wasn’t Elliott Bennett’s leading contender for goal of the season, or Peter Brezovan’s penalty candidate for save of the season.

It was not padding out the cushion from relegation by extending the unbeaten away record to eight games.

They were all special in their own right but what made a dank Lancastrian afternoon extra-special was Albion winning comfortably and keeping another clean sheet without playing anywhere near their best.

We all know what that means. Bennett certainly does.

The purple-patch winger, basking in the glow of his wonder goal, observed: “You get promoted off the back of that.

“Norwich didn’t play particularly well at Withdean and went away with three points. It’s the sign of a good side.

“I think we had a 25-minute patch where we played to the standard the gaffer wants, so to win without playing well is a bonus.”

Inheriting Bennett has been a bonus too for Gus Poyet. Graeme Smith, plus loan pair Matt Thornhill and Aaron Davies, may have been dud signings by Russell Slade but what about Bennett, not to mention Andrew Crofts, Gary Dicker and Alan Navarro?

Bennett played in every league game under Slade after his late August move and that has not changed under Poyet.

The Uruguayan identified from the moment he took over in November that Bennett has a touch of star quality.

In one of Poyet’s first training sessions the players were only allowed two touches, except for the former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger. He was given three in recognition of his extra capabilities.

Bennett has been particularly prominent in recent weeks, scoring three goals in eight games and providing two assists with his dead ball deliveries.

His form has been critical to the success of the 4-5-1 formation employed again by Poyet at Oldham and will continue to be so now that Kazenga LuaLua is back at Newcastle, nursing a torn hamstring.

Poyet said: “When you play a 4-4-2 you rely on the strikers scoring and, every now and then, a midfielder.

“When you play a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 then the wide players have to score. If they don’t you have got a problem. Elliott is taking that responsibility and it is paying off.

“Maybe there are one or two players, probably from Norwich and Leeds, who can compete with the quality of the delivery of Elliott – and I am saying maybe.”

Bennett’s sixth goal of the season was an absolute beauty. Cutting out to the corner of the penalty area from the left flank, he unleashed an unstoppable right-foot drive into the roof of the net.

The lead doubler arrived early in the second half, during Albion’s most controlled spell of the match, although it had an element of fortune about it.

Terrible Oldham defending culminated in Seb Carole getting the better of his marker to cross invitingly for Gary Dicker.

The Irishman completely missed his side-footed attempt to find a gaping goal from close range but Jon Worthington, tracking back behind him, obligingly made no such mistake.

It was one of the few occasions when Carole, restored to the starting line-up in the absence of LuaLua, was not let down by his final ball.

The little Frenchman, narrowly preferred to Nicky Forster and a change back to 4-4-2, did, however, link up well with ever-impressive Spaniard Inigo Calderon once switched from left to right.

Oldham never looked like getting back into the game until, seven minutes from time, Pawel Abbott’s shot on the turn was blocked at close quarters by Tommy Elphick with hands protectively raised.

Referee David Webb was not going to award a penalty but gave it on the advice of his linesman, despite Albion claiming the infringement was just outside the box.

Fortunately for Elphick it was not interpreted as a second yellow card offence, considering he had been booked two minutes earlier.

The video analysis homework by goalkeeping coach Tony Godden on Abbott’s previous penalties paid off.

Brezovan guessed right, in more ways than one, diving to make a stylish stop, and substitute Tom Eaves was denied by the underside of the bar from the rebound.

There were a couple of key moments at the start and finish of the first half as well.

Abbott headed wide from six yards in only the second minute and Brezovan made a double save just before the break.

Another dive to the right foiled another Abbott header. The towering Slovakian also prevented Chris Taylor from converting the rebound.

Poyet may have been handed the nucleus of a decent side but he has undeniably improved it by leaps and bounds with his own signings, especially defensively.

Brezovan’s commanding form has downgraded the search for goalkeeping cover for the injured Michel Kuipers from genuine No. 1 material to a No. 2. A replacement for the stricken LuaLua could also be signed before Thursday’s loan transfer deadline.

Albion (4-5-1): Brezovan; Calderon, El-Abd, Elphick, Painter; Bennett, Navarro (Virgo 85), Crofts, Dicker, Carole (Hart 86); Murray. Subs not used: McNulty, Cox, Forster, Walker, Hoyte.

Goals: Bennett (40), Worthington (57) own goal.

Yellow cards: Elphick (81) unsporting behaviour, Navarro (84) foul.

Oldham (4-4-2): Flahavan; Lee, Hazell, Gregan, Black; Whitaker (Smalley 58), Furman, Worthington (Eaves 78), Taylor; Abbott, Guy.

Subs not used: Brill, Jacobson, Marrow, Colbeck, Millar.

Yellow cards: Worthington (61) foul, Furman (84) unsporting behaviour, Eaves (90) foul.