Manager Lee Johnson was full of praise for his players as 10-man Latics sealed a point at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United
Jonathan Forte had given Athletic the lead on 16 minutes after Daniel Johnson's inch-perfect through ball found the forward and he comfortably dispatched the ball beyond Mark Howard.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who had been on the field for two minutes, levelled the game on the hour mark before Jabo Ibehre saw red for two bookable offences late in the game.
The gaffer was in high spirits after the game and said: "I thought we played well. If you watch the video not knowing the result, you would think that we were not under much threat.
"We had a nice bank behind the ball but maybe we could have kept the ball better. It was a good game, good advert, good atmosphere and the way the other results have gone, it has worked out to be a decent point.
"Brian Wilson was ill so Kusunga had to come in and he has had eight flights in the space of ten days to go to different games and get back. He's played two 90 minutes in the African Nations and he has come back and put in a display like that and that typified the good character of the day.
"You always felt that a little bit of magic from either one of our players of one of Sheffield United's players could have won the game. We come here, had plenty of corners, chances, shots and we silenced the crowd to a point. I have nothing but praise from my boys today."
Ibehre was shown a second yellow card deep into the second half after appearing to kick out at Blades midfielder Michael Doyle but Johnson cannot have many complaints about the decision.
"What do you want me to say? He's a naughty player or a clever player? I've played against him for years and with a player like that you have to retaliate first and that's what I used to do," the boss commented.
"He has been clever and Jabo has rose to it. I'll have to see it again but it looked to me that if he didn't get his bootlaces tangled then he kicked out so although it was a pathetic one, he may as well have volleyed him."
Latics have now faced six of the top seven sides away from home this season and have picked up four draws from those games.
"We have played every top team away from home now apart from MK Dons which we have got to go to soon," said Johnson.
"If you look at our record away, it might not look like a lot of wins but look at the teams we have played. In the second half of the season, I'm not saying it will be any easier but hopefully we will be able to pick up a few more points away."
Watch the full interview on Latics Player.