Wild rage at penalty exit
first Doncaster boss since his legendary compatriot Peter Doherty to reach the last 16 of the Cup, felt it was a penalty.
“I don’t think our players would have been jumping around if it was not handball,” he said.
“It’s good to hear another Northern Irishman was the last manager to get to the fifth round. I’m so proud of the players.”
Rovers thought they had scored when skipper John Marquis rounded Dan Iversen, only for Clarke to get back and make a goalline clearance.
Iversen was also determined not to be beaten and made a one-handed save to keep out Kieran Sadlier’s right-foot shot. The Latics, roared on by their 4,000 travelling fans, stirred – and Jose Baxter shot wide from a Chris O’grady cross.
But just as Oldham sensed another upset, Herbie Kane laid the ball off to Whiteman 20 yards out and he scored with a 20-yard drive on 68 minutes.
Clarke levelled with six minutes left, when Gevaro Nepomuceno’s free-kick was blocked and the centre-half fired home the rebound from close range.
Then came the controversial climax after Tom Anderson hit the bar and Rovers were awarded their winning penalty in the ensuing melee. Marosi 6, Mason 6, Downing 6, Anderson 6, Andrew 6, Whiteman 8, Kane 6, May 7 (Wright 90), Coppinger 7 (Blair 63, 6), Sadlier 7 (Wilks 63, 6), Marquis 7. Subs not used: Jones, Rowe, Crawford, Lewis. OLDHAM: Iversen 7, Hamer 6, Clarke 7, Edmundson 6, Nepomuceno 6, Lang 6, Missilou 6, Sylla 5, Branger 5, Baxter 6 (Vera 75, 6), O’grady 7. Subs not used: De La Paz, Taylor, Dummigan, Benteke, Robinson, Hunt. MAN OF THE MATCH: Ben Whiteman. Opened the scoring and kept his cool to net a late penalty. REFEREE: Peter Bankes 7. Possession 54% 46% Shots On Target 6 4 Shots Off Target 6 6 Blocked Shots 5 4 Corners 10 1 Fouls Conceded 10 14 Offsides 2 3 Yellow Cards 2 3 Red Cards 0 1