CARLISLE UNITED 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3
Oldham Athletic produced a devastating second-half comeback to win at promotion-chasing Carlisle United.
Harry Kewell’s lower mid-table side scored three times in a 15-minute spell late in the game through Marcel Hilssner, Dylan Bahamhoula and Carl Piergianni to claim their seventh away victory of the season in Sky Bet League Two.
Latics still have the fifth best away record on their travels, even though this was their first away win in six league games as they had faltered of late – not long ago they topped the away form table.
Having conceded late in the first period to Josh Kayode, Latics’ comeback began with 19 minutes remaining, Hilssner converting coolly from the penalty spot before Bahamnoula scored another fabulous effort with Piergianni sealing victory.
Head coach Kewell made three changes from Tuesday’s disappointing home defeat to Barrow, including two in defence with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Raphael Diarra returning to the team in place of Kyle Jameson and Raphael Diarra while Bobby Grant led the forward line as Serhat Tasdemir lost out.
Carlisle, who had former Latics’ pair Dean Furman and Lewis Alessandra on the bench, were quickest to settle, Ian Lawlor turning over a drive from Kayode and the keeper was also alert to keep out Aaron Hayden’s header.
Although Carlisle had the lion’s share of the first-half possession, chances were at a premium. David Keillor-Dunn headed wide from a Bahamboula cross and that represented a rare chance for the visitors.
Carlisle went ahead ten minutes before the interval, Kayode heading home from a corner and, although Conor McAleny did well to create an opening, Latics went into the break behind.
Latics started the second period with intent, Hilssner going close with a drive from distance as the visitors gradually found their way back into the game.
Their enterprising play was rewarded when a cross from Nick Adams was judged to have struck the hand of Rhys Bennett. It allowed Hilssner to convert a nerveless spot-kick giving Latics the platform to complete the turnaround.
Having scored in remarkable fashion at Tranmere Rovers, Bahamboula struck for the second successive weekend, bending an exquisite shot past goalkeeper Paul Farman.
And Piergianni, on as a half-time substitute, powered home a header from Adams’ corner, completing not the first remarkable comeback of the season.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Clarke, Borthwick-Jackson (Jameson 66), Keillor-Dunn, Grant, McAleny (Blackwood 46), Hilssner (Fage 76), Diarra (Piergianni 46), Adams, Bahamboula, McCalmont. Subs (not used): Bilboe, Whelan, Vaughan.
Goals: Kayode, 35, for Carlisle. Hilssner, 71, Bahamboula, 78, Piergianni, 86, for Oldham.