HAMPTON & RICHMOND 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
It was a case of the late, late show for Oldham Athletic who came within minutes of becoming victims of an embarrassing Emirates FA Cup giantkilling act at non-league Hampton & Richmond.
Latics were behind for almost 75 minutes to an early penalty from Chris Dickson for the National League South side that is known as the Beavers.
But with time running out and Latics set to create unwanted headlines, Rob Hunt delivered an 88th minute equaliser.
Latics were resigned to a replay when Callum Lang conjured a 94th minute winner.
It would have been tough on Latics to have lost as it was a game they dominated, but without lady luck shining on them for most of the match.
They enjoyed 63-per-cent possession, had 24 goal attempts to 11 from the hosts with nine on target. And the corner count was also 14-1 in their favour.
Manager Frank Bunn made two changes from the goalless draw at Notts County as Cameron Dummigan and Jose Baxter won starts in place of Gevaro Nepomuceno and Jonathan Benteke.
Latics started the game on top as Ishmael Miller was set-up by Baxter, but couldn’t direct his shot on target.
Baxter then played Dummigan into the box and he forced a fine save from goalkeeper Tom Lovelock.
A controversial moment came after 15 minutes as Tyrell Miller-Rodney burst into penalty area and went down following a challenge and referee Tom Nield pointed to the spot.
Dickson stepped up and slotted it past Daniel Iversen, much to the annoyance of the Latics’ players and staff who felt it wasn’t a penalty.
Latics felt they should have had a penalty of their own five minutes later as Andy Taylor’s corner found Baxter in the box who seemed to be tripped.
Miller then forced Lovelock into another save, before the home side cleared an effort off the line and then had the post to thank which denied Callum Lang’s follow up.
Baxter was then booked for diving as he ran through one on one with Lovelock, but the player felt he was tripped as he rounded the home goalkeeper.
The hosts almost capitalised on their luck as Zak Joseph crossed to Casey Maclaren who headed wide at the back post.
Baxter then forced Lovelock into a save from a free kick before Iversen was on hand to deny Joseph’s effort at the other end.
Hampton defender Yado Mambo then had a huge slice of luck as he somehow headed over a Hunt cross into the ground and over his own crossbar.
From the resulting corner captain Peter Clarke headed a great chance wide and had another effort cleared off the line moments later.
There was a lengthy delay at the start of the second half as Baxter went down following an innocuous challenge and he was taken off on stretcher.
That delay seemed to affect Latics’ rhythm as they didn’t create a chance until midway through the chance when Dummigan saw his effort deflect wide.
From the resulting corner Lang nodded back across goal, but Yado Mambo was there to clear on his own goalline.
Latics finally equalised as Dan Gardner broke down the left before pulling it back to Hunt who slotted it past Lovelock.
Then deep into stoppage time Hunt hit a long ball up to substitute Chris O’Grady who flicked it onto Lang, before the Wigan loanee turned his man brilliantly before finishing.
Another substitute Mohamed Maouche then forced Lovelock into another smart save as Bunn’s side set up a second-round tie at Maidstone United, another non-league team.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Dummigan, Gardner, Lyden (Maouche 80), Lang; Baxter (Branger-Engone 52′), Miller (O’Grady 74). Subs (not used): Coke, Missilou, Hamer, McFarlane).
Attendance 2,720 (274 visitors).