Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s injury time winner sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over near neighbours Bury at SportsDirect.com Park.
The goal came in the final minute of three minutes additional time, firing into the top corner to seal an important three points.
Latics had started well and took the lead through Eoin Doyle’s 10th goal of the season midway through the first half.
Tom Aldred headed Bury level early in the second half but Holloway was the match winner for Latics in the final minute to seal a fifth win in seven games and extend the unbeaten run.
Manager Richie Wellens named an unchanged side to which drew 4-4 with MK Dons on Tuesday night.
It was a good start from Latics as they created a chance in the opening 10 seconds of the game.
Good football in the midfield between Jack Byrne and Dan Gardner saw the ball fall to Cameron Dummigan on the right but his cross was picked up by the goalkeeper Leo Fasan.
On seven minutes, Queensy Menig received the ball on the left and cut inside but his shot was blocked.
Not long after came a superb chance to take the lead for Latics. Jack Byrne’s whipped free kick found the onrushing Doyle but his glancing header was excellently tipped wide by Fasan.
Bury had a great opportunity to take the lead on 20 minutes as Michael Smith rolled Peter Clarke but Dummigan managed to get back before he was able to get his shot away to steer the ball clear.
Midway through the first half, Latics were ahead through Doyle.
And what great football is was. Gardner played a one-two in midfield, it fell to Craig Davies who managed to feed Doyle and he made no mistake from 12 yards, firing into the bottom corner.
Latics were full of momentum and two good chances followed.
Firstly, Gardner’s tame effort was saved, and the goalkeeper had to be alive seconds later as Davies forced him into a full length save down to his right.
Wellens’ men continued to come forward with Menig denied inside the penalty area whilst Gardner’s shot from 25 yards deflected wide.
Five minutes before the break, Jay O’Shea curled a free kick over the crossbar as Bury went close to an equaliser.
Byrne was booked a minute before the break before Bury should have been level in first half stoppage time.
A cross from the left was attacked by Chris Humphrey but Johny Placide made a superb save from six yards.
It was a disastrous start to the second half for Latics as Bury equalised 90 seconds into it.
O’Shea managed to dig out a cross into the box and from 12 yards, Aldred guided his header off the post and into the back of the net.
The visitors had the momentum and almost took the lead through a long range effort from Rohan Ince but the midfielder’s effort hit the top of the goal.
Beckford curled an effort goalwards on the hour mark whilst seconds later, Fasan made a great save from Byrne.
Abdelhakim Omrani replaced Menig on the hour mark for Latics as they looked to retain possession better in midfield.
However, it was Bury who again went close soon after as substitute Mikai Dobre fired goalwards from 25 yards but Placide managed to hold onto the ball.
Latics started to dominate and had the better chances in the final 20 minutes of the game.
Byrne turned his man superbly and struck from 25 yards but it went over the crossbar.
Davies broke free on 75 minutes but struck against the side netting whilst seven minutes later, he curled towards the top corner but it went inches wide.
Wellens made two changes in the final five minutes of the game as Holloway and Paul Green entered the fray.
With time seemingly running out for Latics, Green went close to the winner two minutes into additional time as he headed wide, however, Athletic found the winner in the final minute of stoppage time.
After an unbelievable save from Placide at one end, he fired long to Holloway who took the ball in his path and volleyed into the top corner to win the game for Athletic.
Oldham Athletic: Placide, Dummigan, Clarke, Bryan, Hunt, Byrne (Green 87’), Fane, Gardner, Menig (Omrani 60’), Davies (Holloway 87’), Doyle.
Subs not used: Ruddy, Wilson, Gerrard, Flynn.
Bury: Fasan, Leigh, O’Connell, Beckford, Reilly, Edwards, Aldred, Humphrey (Dobre 55’), O’Shea, Smith (Tutte 89’), Ince (Laurent 79’).
Subs not used: Maguire, Bunn, Maloney, Shotton.
Goals: Oldham Athletic (Doyle 24’, Holloway 90+3’) 2-1 Bury (Aldred 47’)
Attendance: 5,183 (752 visiting supporters)