Latics had to settle for a point in the penultimate home match of the season.
Hope gave Latics the lead seven minutes in when he beat Chapman from inside the box.
The visitors equalised within the half-hour, with Sam Mather being the last man to get a touch as the ball rolled over the line following a corner.
Despite a lot of Latics pressure in the second half, Oldham could not retake the lead.
Athletic started with attacking intensity, and soon got their rewards.
Dale played a sloppy pass which James Norwood stuck his foot out to intercept, giving to Josh Lundstram in the process.
Josh took it from there, advancing forward with speed through the midfield and defence, before setting it up nicely for Hope, who found the roof of the net with his powerful shot.
Having got one, Micky Mellon’s side went searching for a second.
Norwood had a go, but saw his low, driven shot deflected behind.
Rochdale equalised, against the run of play, from a corner which was powered into the box at the near post; amongst a sea of bodies, Sam Mather directed it towards goal, claiming it amongst the sea of bodies.
The game settled down following Dale’s leveller, leaving both teams going into the break with a clear opportunity to win the game.
Oldham came out in the second-half looking the most likely side to get a decisive goal, Dan Gardner and Lundstram in midfield were vital for Latics in creating chances, especially Garnder, who constantly linked up with Norwood going forward.
Lundtram almost punished Rochdale after they half-cleared an Oldham corner. They headed the ball down, which fell invitingly to Josh just inside the box, he took a stab at it, but saw it blocked by the yellow shirts.
The best chance to retake the lead came from nowhere when Andrew Dallas picked up the ball out wide, and advanced towards the centre.
He waited for an opening, before pulling the trigger, curling his shot towards the far corner, just for it agonisingly rebound off the post.
Dale had the chance to nick the game towards the end, Ryan East played a ball through for Kairo Mitchell.
Kairo probably should have taken a shot when front on with the goal, but instead opted to try and take it past Hudson, but couldn’t find the net from a tight angle.
Cian Hayes had a shot on the follow-up, but couldn’t keep it down.
Dan Gardner, who had a superb game for Latics, was forced to leave the field with 15 to go, with Nathan Sheron replacing him.
Dan Ward and Oli Hammond came on in place of Lundstram and goalscorer Hope in stoppage time, but despite Athletic’s might, they could not find another goal.
Oldham: Hudson, Kitching, Hogan, Lundstram (Ward, 89’), Raglan, McGahey, Gardner (Sheron, 75’), Hope (Hammond, 89’), Sutton, Dallas, Norwood.
Subs not used: Norman, Hobson.
Rochdale: Chapman, Gordon, John, East, Ebanks-Landell, Mitchell, Rodney (Henderson, 89’), Hayes (Mellor, 77’), Sassi, Gilmour, Mather (Sinclair 85’).
Subs not used: Keohane, Nevett.
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Attendance: 8,797 (1,685)
