Oldham Athletic secured their place in third round of the Checkatrade Trophy following a 0-1 win over Bradford City.
Tope Obadeyi grabbed the only goal of the game as he converted from 18 yards three minutes into the game as Latics are now three games away from Wembley.
Latics played some very neat football throughout, thoroughly deserved the win and they also claimed a third clean sheet in four games.
Manager Richie Wellens made six changes to the side which lost 2-0 to Southend United on Saturday.
And one of those changes made an immediate impact as he gave Latics the lead only three minutes into the game.
Ryan Flynn found Obadeyi on the right and he cut in and struck with his left foot from the edge of the box and found the bottom corner.
Bradford did almost find an equaliser from a free kick on seven minutes but Shay McCartan curled his effort wide of the post.
Athletic took control of the game and completely dominated the first half.
They were almost two goals ahead on 14 minutes as Obadeyi, who was a threat on the right hand side, cut past his man once again but his low cross was cleared in front of the Bradford goal.
Latics knocked the ball around with energy and purpose and the hosts struggled to deal with their patient build up play.
Dan Gardner, one of the survivors from the weekend, had a shot blocked on the half hour mark, whilst two minutes later, Obadeyi had a shot from a similar distance also blocked.
Wellens’ men searched for their second and almost found it 10 minutes before the end of the half as Flynn drove into space but fired wide from 25 yards.
Brian Wilson had a volley blocked whilst Paul Green forced Bradford goalkeeper Lukas Raeder into an unorthodox save as he fired from inside the box.
Green did receive a yellow card before the break as Latics went into half time a goal ahead.
Bradford made a change at the break and brought on former Athletic striker Dominic Poleon in place of Alex Gilliead.
Latics almost doubled their lead in the first minute of the second half as Gardner delivered a good cross into the box but Doyle could not connect.
Poleon, who took up the striker’s position, managed to get behind the defence a minute later but his strike meant nothing as the linesman’s flag was raised.
Athletic settled into the half and started to dictate the play, similar to how they did in the opening 45 minutes of the game.
Despite the possession, neither side went close to creating a clear cut opening.
Green found Doyle over the top on 70 minutes but the striker volleyed wide from the edge of the box.
Latics almost mustered an opening as substitute Ousmane Fane found Gevaro Nepomuceno in the penalty box. The winger twisted and turned but in trying to create the space, he fouled his man and the chance was lost.
Wellens brought on Ryan McLaughlin who made his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury against Rotherham United.
He made an immediate impact as he raced down the left hand side and crossed but the goalkeeper dealt with the danger.
Bradford substitute Paul Taylor fired wide on 83 minutes as the hosts looked to get back into the game.
However, Athletic almost found the winning goal on 89 minutes but Obadeyi’s strike from 25 yards hit the outside of the post and went wide.
Athletic weathered a late storm from the Bantams as they cleared a corner deep into additional time to secure their place into the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Bradford City: Raeder, Thompson, McCartan, Hanson, Gilliead (Poleon 46’), Hendrie, Pybus (Law 68’), Knight-Percival, Devine, Gibson, Patrick (Taylor 75’).
Subs not used: Sattelmaier, Kilgallon, Vincelot, Staunton.
Oldham Athletic: Placide, Dummigan, Bryan, Gerrard, Wilson, Nepomuceno (McLaughlin 77’), Green, Gardner (Omrani 80’), Flynn (Fane 69’), Obadeyi, Doyle.
Subs not used: Wilson, Clarke, Menig, Davies.
Goals: Bradford City 0-1 Oldham Athletic (Obadeyi 3’)
Attendance: 1,036 (150 visiting supporters)