OLDHAM ATHLETIC 4, CARLISLE UNITED 5
You don’t often get such scorelines in this day and age as Oldham Athletic lost 5-4 at home to Carlisle United in the Checkatrade Trophy.
It was a game of numerous twists and turns as Latics were 1-0 ahead, 3-1 down, 4-3 in front before 10-man Carlisle scored the last two goals to snatch victory.
But there were positive as strikers Billy Mckay and Darius Osei opened their scoring accounts for the club. Indeed, this was the first time any of the club’s strikers had found the net this season.
Mckay ended his drought while teenager substitute Osei scored twice in one minute as it was reminiscent of waiting for a bus and then two coming along together.
Manager Stephen Robinson made raft of changes from the side that drew at Bradford City in the league three days earlier.
Cameron Burgess, Charlie Dunne, Ryan Flynn and Mckay were three survivors as Robinson gave his squad players much needed game time while new loan signing Freddie Ladapo made his debut.
Carlisle would have taken an early lead but for a goalie clearance by Burgess to deny Shaun Miller while Shaun Brisley missed two clear-cut chances.
Latics took the lead after 16 minutes and against the run of play when Ladapo provided the assist for Mckay to find the bottom corner with a powerful strike.
But the game turned Carlisle’s way as they scored three goals in a 10-minute spell to take control as Michael Raynes, Reggie Lambe and a Burgess own goal.
Palace loanee Ladapo had a goal disallowed for offside with five minutes of the half remaining as Latics looked to cut the deficit.
Robinson brought on Osei and Croft for Ryan McLaughlin and Luke Woodland for the second half and the pair made an immediate impact as Croft set up Osei who slotted a shot under keeper Max Crocombe.
And barely one minute later it was 3-3 when Osei converted a Mckay cross at the far post.
Latics quickly responded as Ollie Banks restored the lead for Latics, but there was a feeling the match would produce further goals, and so it proved.
Sadly for Latics it was the Cumbrians who struck as Tommy Miller scrambled home a shot from close range to make it four goals apiece.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 80 minutes when Macauley Gillesphey was shown a straight red card for fouling Ladapo as he raced through on goal.
Latics sensed the game could tilt their way as they pursued a winner, but it was Carlisle who caught them on the break to score a last-minute winner.
Another set piece into the box found Raynes who bundled the ball into the net.
And in the five minutes of added time, there was still time for further drama when Osei headed against the crossbar as he came agonisingly close to completing a hat trick in half the game.
Latics (3-5-2): Kettings: Wilson, Burgess, Edmundson; McLaughlin (Osei 46), Banks, Woodland (Croft 46), Flynn, Dunne; Mckay (Winchester 75‚), Ladapo. Subs `(not used): Ripley, Stott, Mantack, Fane.
Goals: Mckay (16)‚ Osei (48, 49), Banks (66) for Latics. Raynes (18, 89), Lambe (22), Burgess (28og), Miller (74)
Attendance: 1,897