Teenage striker Ryan Brooke paid tribute to manager Joe Royle after scoring with his first touch in league football to give Oldham a 2-1 victory over Walsall.

The 17-year-old substitute went on in the 71st minute, and two minutes later drilled home a low shot from Deane Smalley's pass to condemn the Saddlers to another home flop.

Troy Deeney had fired the Saddlers ahead before Smalley equalised and Brooke's winner was a great moment for Latics' manager Royle in the ninth and last game of his second spell in charge of the club before Dave Penney takes over.

Brooke, who had scored 24 goals for the youth team this season, said: "I was pleased to get the goal for Joe because he is so respected in the game and he has helped me with advice on where to be and how to make runs on the pitch.

"When I scored I knew I was going to have a shot, and it went in with my first touch. I should have scored another afterwards and hopefully that will come with experience."

A delighted Royle added: "Ryan is a Bambi, weak and gangly but put a ball in front of him and he knows what he is doing. I just told him to `go on and score a goal, son'."