Latics continued their preparations for the 2023/24 season with a 1-1 against League Two Barrow.
The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes when Sam Foley fired home a powerful strike from outside the box.
But David Unsworth’s side responded, Mike Fondop found Joe Nuttall inside the box, with Oldham’s number 10 bullet header giving Josh Lillis no chance.
Both sides looked for another goal in the second-half, and had their spells in charge of the game, but both defences held strong.
Latics started the game with clear attacking intent, winning a corner which was swung in by Kitching, but the hosts headed clear.
A loose ball fell to Foley just outside the 18 yard box, before he fired it into the bottom corner, giving Barrow the lead.
Latics weren’t down hearted, however, and immediately looked to grab an equaliser.
That ambition was hampered in the 19th minute when Josh Lundstram went down with an injury and couldn’t continue, although he was able to freely walk off the pitch.
Shelton looked to imitate Foley with a long-range strike from outside the box, but the midfielder’s effort went wide of the post.
The equaliser would come, though. Fondop danced with the ball on the wing and chipped it in toward Nuttall, who sent James Chester to the floor, giving him free rein to beat Lillis with a powerful header.
Former Latic, David Worrall, tried to pick out the far corner with a curling effort, but it lacked power and accuracy, and wasn’t a problem for Norman.
The standout moment of the second-half was undoubtedly Norman’s superb save just before the hour mark.
Junior Tiensia showcased a great bit of flair to put a cross in the box, Emile Acquah hit it first time from 6 yards out, but Norman’s quick reactions and reflexes kept the score level.
Substitute Alex Reid quickly got involved in the action after coming on, running onto a long ball, hitting it on the half-volley from outside the box, failing to hit the target.
Oldham applied a lot of pressure in the closing minutes of the game, but couldn’t beat Lillis for a second time.
Oldham: Norman, Hobson, Hogan, Raglan, Green (Willoughby, 82), Kitching, Shelton, Sheron, Lundstram (Ward, 19), Fondop, Nuttall (Reid, 62).
Subs not used: Hudson, Sutton, Couto, Tollitt, Hope.