Manager Roonie Moore, a former Rovers player and coach, admitted before the game that he was still smarting from that 4-0 drubbing but his side came good with a goal by Richie Wellens.
Oldham have taken 10 points out of the last 12 and are stepping up the pressure on the sides in the top 6.
But Tranmere are still in bother at the wrong end of the table and their problems in front of goal showed few signs of improving at wind swept Boundary Park.
Former Oldham striker Delroy Facey had a quiet game for the visitors and another former Latic Calvin Zola was unable to turn the tide after going on as a second half substitute.
There were few chances for either side but Wellens bagged the decider with a big chunk of fortune after 34 minutes.
Earlier, Wellens had the first shot of the game when he drilled just wide from the edge of the box.
Striker Luke Beckett also went close for Oldham when his shot on the turn grazed the woodwork, stopping him continuing his prolific run.
Tranmere came out of defence midway through the first half as Mark Rankin let fly from 25 yards and Oldham keeper Lee Grant had to tip over the bar.
But the home side broke through when they were given a free kick near the left touchline and Wellens sent his cross over everybody in front of goal and into the far corner.
Wellens almost doubled the lead only two mintues later as he spotted Tranmere keeper Dino Seremet too far off his line and hit woodwork with a superb chip from 40 yards.
Tranmere sent on Zola in the second half but they came up against a rock solid home defence.
The only opening fell to Zola on 81 minuets but his 10 yard drive was blocked by a packed defence.