OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, BARNSLEY 2 (Oldham won 4-2 on penalties)
Oldham Athletic won through to the northern area quarter final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy following a dramatic victory against Barnsley at SportsDirect.com Park.
Dominic Poleon, with his first goal for Latics, and Danny Philliskirk put Oldham 2-0 ahead at half time.
Barnsley hit back with second-half goals from Luke Berry and Sam Winnall, the equaliser coming in the last minute to force the shootout at the end of 90 minutes with substitute Rhys Turner firing home the decisive spot kick.
Oldham handed starts to squad men Timothee Dieng, Michael Tidser and James Dayton , but manager Lee Johnson resisted the temptation to make sweeping changes as he is painfully aware of the importance of the competition in terms of potential finance to the club.
Poleon twice and Dayton went close for Latics who took the lead midway through the opening half when Joseph Mills fired over a low cross from the left which Poloen coverted for his first goal for the club.
Latics remained in control until just before half time when Barnsley almost equalised when Winnall’s effort struck the upright.
But on the stroke of the break, Latics made it 2-0 when loan-man Conor Wilkinson set up Philliskirk who scored his third goal in two matches with a classy finish.
Philliskirk, Poleon and Wilkinson all had chances to add a third goal, and they would later look to be costly misses as Barnsley hit back.
Berry halves the deficit seven minutes after the break with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Then with only one minute left came Winnall’s equaliser, a cruel blow, as he found the net with a low shot from the edge of the box as Latics saw victory snatched from their grasp.
Philliskirk and Liam Kelly both scored their penalties before Winnall shot wide as it was advantage Latics.
Mike Jones then made it 3-1 before Latics’ keeper Paul Rachubka saved from Kane Hemmings.
Wilkinson had the chance to win the tie, but saw his kick saved by Ross Turnbull, but substitute Turner made no mistake when his turn came.