Manager Darren Kelly praised his sides character after Jonathan Forte struck late on to earn Latics a deserved point in the season opener against Walsall.
Romaine Sawyers had given the Saddlers the lead early in the game but Forte’s leveller seven minutes from time earned a point for Kelly in his first competitive game in charge of Latics.
Speaking after the game, the gaffer said: "We conceded early on but it was a good test of character and I thought our lads responded in the right way.
"It is an extremely difficult place to come. They are organised with and without possession and we had to break it down. We did do that a couple of times but we just failed to get the end product on occasions.
"We did our homework on them and we needed to be patient in possession but there were times where it could have been quicker. It was a great finish by Jonathan Forte after a cross on the volley from Jake Cassidy. I’m very pleased.”
Summer signing Cassidy proved to be a handful on his Oldham Athletic debut and he provided the assist for striker Forte to equalise.
“He is going to be a handful for anyone,” admitted Kelly. "He has got a bit of everything. He is big, physical, strong and quick so the main thing now is that we feed off Jake when it goes forward.”
The gaffer saved the last word for the fans as they turned out in their numbers to support their side. “They gave me goosebumps.,” said Kelly.
"They deserved that goal and I think their voice made that goal happen and it was good it went in at that end. They were immense and I don’t think I heard them quiet once. They helped our team on and I thought they were absolutely superb.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.