SUNDERLAND 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic cast aside their troubles in Sky Bet League Two to pull off a giantkilling act with their Papa John’s Trophy win at holders Sunderland.
A goal from 18-year-old Harry Vaughan earned Latics victory at the Stadium of Light against the high-flying League One side to claim a place in the last 16 at the expense of former Boundary Park boss Lee Johnson.
Interim head coach Selim Benachour made seven changes to the side that lost at Salford City which included youngsters Vaughan and Benny Couto being handed starting spots.
It was also all change for the Black Cats with German Leon Dajuku, who is on loan from Union Berlin, the sole survivor from the side that won at Cambridge United four days earlier.
Sunderland had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute, Benji Kipioka outpaced Jordan Clarke but the Sunderland striker could only hit the side netting.
Latics created a couple of decent attempts as captain Carl Piergianni had an effort blocked and Hallam Hope’s shot failed to trouble goalkeeper Lee Burge.
The Black Cats carved out another opening, but Will Harris fired into the side netting.
The electrifying pace of Kimpioka gave Latics problems as he slid in Harris who rounded goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler and would have given his side the lead if it hadn’t been for a block by Clarke.
Latics’ best chance of the opening 45 minutes came four minutes before the break when Vaughan slid through a perfectly timed ball to Jack Stobbs who took it one on one with Burge but shot narrowly wide.
Latics made a good start in the second half and had the first chance when Nicky Adams’ cross found Couto at the back post, but the 18-year old’s volley didn’t trouble Burge.
The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute through Vaughan. Latics countered from a Sunderland corner and the 18-year-old dispossessed a home defence before coolly finishing.
Sunderland did the majority of the pressing in pursuit of an equaliser and it took a brilliant stop from Leutwiler in the 73rd minute to prevent an equaliser from Cieran Dunne.
Nicky Adams stung the palms of Burge in the 84th minute as Latics looked for a second, this came moments after substitute Dylan Bahamboula had showcased his trickery in another attacking move.
Latics held on against the holders, securing qualification to the last 16.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, Cisse (Hopcutt 80), Piergianni, Adams, Whelan (Bowden 80), Hope (Bahamboula 80), Keillor-Dunn, Stobbs (Dearnley 58), Couto, Vaughan (Diarra 64). Subs (unused): Southerington, McGahey.
Goal: Vaughan (53) for Oldham Athletic.
Attendance: 3,498 (251 visitors).