OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0
(Oldham won 5-4 on penalties)
Oldham Athletic are certainly spot on when it comes to penalty shootouts.
They progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup and a glamour tie at Premier League club Brentford after a second successive shootout success in the competition.
After overcoming Tranmere Rovers in round one, the latest victory on penalties came against League One side Accrington Stanley.
On-loan goalkeeper Laurie Walker had produced a fantastic save to deny Matt Butcher from 12 yards before youngster Junior Luamba slotted home the decisive kick.
Head coach Keith Curle made a host of changes as he handed starts to youngsters Harry Vaughan and Junior Luamba after they both impressed against Colchester United at the weekend.
Stanley had the first chance in the ninth minute. Jack Nolan raced down the left flank before his cross found Joe Pritchard whose header was comfortably caught by Walker.
Following that, David Morgan sweetly struck a half-volley on the edge of the area and the dipping effort looked destined for the top corner, but Walker denied the former Southport skipper.
Hallam Hope had a great opportunity to open his account for Latics when he was gifted possession on the edge of the box, but his shot was saved by Toby Savin.
Just before the break, Butcher dribbled towards Latics; goal before bending a shot narrowly wide.
Ten minutes into the second half, Latics should been in front as Dylan Bahamboula produced some magic skills to beat Harvey Rodgers before setting up Hope who blasted his effort over the crossbar.
Dion Charles, who had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, forced Walker into a fine save as the Northern Ireland international took aim from 30 yards.
Stanley continued to go in search for the breakthrough and they nearly found it when Tommy Leigh floated a cross into the head of Joel Mumbongo, but the Burnley loanee’s powerful attempt went narrowly over the crossbar.
Nicky Adams delivered a pinpoint cross as he found Luamba with space in a promising position, but the forward couldn’t direct his header on target as the game headed to another penalty shootout.
Sam Hart, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Bahamboula and Callum Whelan all netted from the spot before the shootout went to sudden death.
Luamba missed his initial penalty, however, demanded a retake and he slotted his second attempt into the bottom left-hand corner and then Walker stepped up to become the hero as he saved Butcher’s kick.
Oldham Athletic: Walker, Fage, Clarke, Piergianni, Hart, Bahamboula, Diarra (Adams 69), Whelan, Vaughan (Dearnley 61), Luamba, Hope (Keillor-Dunn 61). Subs (not used): Danielewicz, Badan, Jameson, Da Silva.
Attendance: 2,362 (366 visitors).