ROCHDALE 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic conceded two injury-time goals as they crashed out of the Checkatrade Trophy following a second-round defeat at Rochdale.
A penalty from Joe Rafferty and breakaway strike from substitute Daniel Adshead ended Latics’ seven-match unbeaten run and hopes of a Wembley appearance.
Latics had fought bravely with 10 men for almost half the match following Mohammed Maouche’s sending off and looked to be heading for a penalty shootout after 90 minutes until disaster struck.
It was a measure of how seriously Latics took the game that they fielded the same side that started in Saturday’s League Two win at Crewe.
Dale were pretty strong, though key players Josh Lillis, Ian Henderson and Calvin Andrew weren’t risked.
Latics only had on serious chance in the opening half, a 30-yard drive from Cameron Dummigan that troubled keeper Magnus Norman.
Dummigan was later to limp off to be replaced at right back by teenager Tom Hamer.
Dale had three good chances to make the breakthrough in the last 15 minutes of the opening period.
Matthew Gillam ought to have found the net after a great cut back from the right, but he hesitated and his effort was blocked.
Then in the last minute of the half, Oliver Rathbone bent a shot narrowly wide and David Perkins’ drive deflected and looped narrowly over.
Latics’ prospects of victory were dealt a blow six minutes after the restart when Maouche was sent off for a reckless challenge.
Striker Chris O’Grady was sacrificed as Aston Villa loanee Jordan Lyden was brought on to reinforce the midfield.
Latics’ 10 men found themselves under increasing pressure and at times lived dangerously, notably when a spectacular scissor kick from Gillam flashed narrowly wide.
And it became backs to the wall as the game continued and with 14 minutes left Latics’ loan goalkeeper Daniel Iversen somehow managed to scramble the ball round the post for a corner following an almighty scramble in the six-yard box.
Latics conceded a penalty just as the fourth official signalled three added minutes as referee Oliver Langford ruled captain Peter Clarke handled a shot from from Adshead as Rafferty found the net from 12 yards.
Then with Latics committed to all-out attack, they were caught on the break as Adshead cooly fired past Iversen.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Dummigan (Hamer 29), Edmundson, Clarke, Hunt; Lang, Missilou, Maouche, Nepomuceno (Branger-Engone 88); O’Grady (Lyden 54), Surridge. Subs (not used): Coke, Mller, Graham, McFarlane.
Attendance: 1,854 (911 visitors)