Latics secure their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup after another victory in a penalty shoot-out.
It was a cagey affair at Boundary Park with both sides unable to find a goal in 90 minutes before Laurie Walker grabbed the headlines as he produced a fantastic save from Matt Butcher’s penalty.
Keith Curle implemented a host of changes for the Carabao Cup clash with the Head Coach handing starts to youngsters Harry Vaughan and Junior Luamba after they both impressed against Colchester United at the weekend.
Stanley began the encounter marginally brighter than Latics and they had the first opportunity of the match in the ninth minute. Jack Nolan raced down the left flank before his cross found Joe Pritchard inside the box, however, his header was comfortably caught by Latics’ emergency loan ‘keeper Walker.
Following that, David Morgan sweetly struck a half-volley on the edge of the area and the dipping effort looked destined for the top corner, but Walker managed to deny the former Southport skipper.
Hallam Hope had a golden opportunity to open his account for Oldham when he was gifted possession on the edge of the box, the powerful forward smashed an attempt on goal with the goalkeeper backtracking, however, Toby Savin stood strong to keep him at bay.
Just before the interval, Butcher illustrated his fearless attitude as he dribbled towards the Latics goal before curling just past the far post to his frustration.
Ten minutes into the second-half and the hosts should’ve been in front as, in typical fashion, Dylan Bahamboula produced some magic skills to beat Harvey Rodgers before he laid it off to Hope inside the penalty area, however, he blasted his effort over the crossbar.
Dion Charles, who had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, forced Walker into a fine save as the Northern Ireland international fired a fierce strike on target from around 30-yards out.
Accy continued to go in search for the breakthrough and they nearly found it when Tommy Leigh floated a cross into the head of Joel Mumbongo, however, the Burnley loanee’s powerful attempt went whiskers over the crossbar.
Nicky Adams delivered a pinpoint cross as he found Luamba with space in a promising position, however, the forward couldn’t direct his header on target as the game headed to a penalty shootout, once again.
Sam Hart, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Bahamboula and Callum Whelan all netted from the spot before the shootout went to sudden death. Luamba missed his initial penalty, however, demanded a retake and he slotted his second attempt into the left-hand bottom and then Walker stepped up to become the hero as he saved Butcher’s effort to send his side into the hat.
Oldham Athletic XI – Walker (GK), Fage, Clarke, Piergianni ©, Hart, Bahamboula, Diarra (Adams 69’), Whelan, Vaughan (Dearnley 61’), Luamba, Hope (Keillor-Dunn 61’).
Subs: Danielewicz (GK), Badan, Jameson, Da Silva.
Accrington Stanley XI – Savin (GK), Rodgers (Procter 56’), Sherring, Sykes ©, Butcher, Bishop, Pritchard (Leigh 54’), Mumbongo, Perritt (Charles 54’), Nolan, Morgan.
Subs: Trafford (GK), McConville, Scully, Carson.
Attendance: 2,362 (366 away)
Referee – Sebastian Stockbridge