The new-found character has been a prominent feature for Latics since the return of John Sheridan and as the driving rain continued to fall at Broadfield Stadium, it was there for all to see again.
Just when it seemed that the unbeaten start to life under Sheridan was about to come end, Christopher Missilou struck in brilliant fashion to earn a share of the spoils from another battling away performance.
If the overriding emotion in collecting a point at Colchester on Saturday was one of disappointment, then this time there was immense pride as Sheridan’s side dug deep to earn a deserved point.
There was no little quality, too, Missilou’s strike coming after a sensational opener from Hallam Hope as he found the top corner in style.
The equaliser from Millilou came after a quick-fire double from Ashley Nadesan had put Crawley in front during a frenetic second half but these days Latics should never be written off.
Sheridan was disappointed with the ground Oldham conceded in the second half at Colchester and his side survived a scare midway through the first period.
Having been afforded the space to work his way inside, a 25-yard effort from Isaac Hutchinson was deflected onto the top of the bar and the attacking midfielder continued to pick up pockets of space which caused the visitors problems.
That moment aside, the first period was a mundane affair, Crawley enjoying the better of the play but clear chances were at a premium.
Latics’ biggest source of danger came down the left, Sam Hart linking well a number of times with the marauding Nicky Adams but Sheridan’s side lacked a presence in attack.
Missilou cleared the crossbar after receiving the second ball from an Adams free-kick and Latics’ best chance of the half came through Keillor-Dunn.
On the back of four goals in his previous five games, the attacker showed excellent footwork to weave his way to the edge of the area. As the chance opened up, he tried to bend a shot towards goal, only for the ball to be deflected just wide.
There was an added impetus about Latics straight away after the break and after showing their intentions with a great break involving Missilou and Adams, the visitors took the lead with a goal of real quality from Hope.
Having struggled for form and confidence throughout the season, the striker netted his second goal in three games to illustrate his renewed belief under Sheridan.
Receiving a beautiful cross-field pass from Jordan Clarke, Hope cut in from the left before bending a delightful across the dive of Glenn Morris and into the top right-hand corner.
The celebrations, however, were short-lived. Nadesan drew Crawley level within two minutes, dispatching a neat half-volley after a long ball forward from Tony Craig was cleverly touched on by Tom Nichols.
And the Crawley striker completed a quick-fire double, outpacing the Oldham defence before sending a measured finish past Danny Rogers.
Yet Latics under Sheridan do not know when they are beaten and they summoned their character again to draw level with another goal of real class.
As he approached the edge of the box, Missilou unleashed a low drive which hit the inside of the post before crossing the line to secure a well-earned point.
Oldham Athletic: Rogers, Clarke, Hart, McGahey, Piergianni, Adams, Hope, Keillor-Dunn (Hopcutt 81), Diarra (Whelan 55), Missilou, Obadeyi (Stobbs 88).
Subs not used: Leutwiler, Hunt, Couto, Vaughan.
Crawley Town: Morris, Craig, Powell, Nichols, Nadesan, Ferry, Tunnicliffe, Tsaroulla (Davies 74), Payne, Lynch, Hutchinson (Marshall 81).
Subs not used: Seymour, Gallagher, Frost, Francillette.
Referee: Alan Young
Attendance: 1,927 (248 away).