A thrilling comeback earned Carlisle United a share of the spoils – the very last they deserved in a game they controlled for long periods.
However, a combination of dubious decisions from the officials and amazing bad luck handed the visitors a three-goal lead which looked unassailable until second-half substitute Francois Zoko turned on the style to grab the goals that mattered.
Manager Greg Abbott said: “It is the kind of thing you only see once every three or four seasons.
“We were well on top then suddenly we are behind – and then we are three behind and you honestly do not know how you even got yourselves into that situation.
“Then you get to the 90 minutes and score with the last kick of the game, and you are wondering how you got yourselves out of that situation.
“It was an amazing day and I am sure the fans have loved every minute of it.”
The rug was ripped from under the feet of a bright Cumbrian start midway through the fist half when referee Andy Haines pointed to the spot as Lee Miller appeared to connect cleanly with the ball as he challenged with Robbie Simpson inside his own area.
Abbott added: “It just was not a penalty.
“We tried to talk to the referee at half time about it, but it seems you cannot even do that.
“We will leave it there because being critical is an expensive hobby these days.”
Summer transfer target Shefki Kuqi stepped up to thump the spot kick home away and the day got worse when Tom Adeyemi ballooned a header over Adam Collin to double the lead.
Things went from bad to worse when Kuqi showed his quality to finish off a flowing move, and it appeared it was just pride left to play for as the home side trudged back to the centre circle.
However, prolific striker Lee Miller had other ideas and he raised hopes and spirits with a firm header on the stroke of half-time.
Abbott said: “We needed that goal or the game was gone.
“The way we started the second half showed there was a belief we could go on and get something.”
Ivorian striker Francois Zoko changed the complexion of the afternoon with a wonderful finish which raised the decibels on the terraces and the Latics sat deeper as the blue tide swept forward.
An afternoon of already high drama ended with a set-piece delivery with every single Carlisle player, including the keeper, in or around the Oldham box.
CARLISLE UNITED: Collin, Tavernier, Livesey (Robson 72), Michalik, Murphy, Taiwo (Zoko 46), Berrett, Noble, McGovern, Miller, Loy. Subs (not used): Thirlwell, Curran, Helan.
Goals: Miller (45), Zoko (47, 90). Booked: Taiwo (44), Berrett (72).
OLDHAM ATHLETIC: Cisak, M’Voto, Wesolowski (Morais 51), Clarke, Furman, Simpson, Adeyemi, Taylor, Lee, Mellor, Kuqi. Subs (not used): Black, Diamond, Smith, Gerrard.
Goals: Kuqi (22 pen, 38), Adeyemi (32). Booked: Wesolowski (34), Simpson (85), Furman (90), M’Voto (90).
Attendance: 4,803 Referee: Mr Andy Haines
