LATICS’ LEAGUE WOE PUT ASIDE
OLDHAM boss Stephen Robinson hailed his team’s efforts as the League One strugglers held off a late challenge to make it into the FA Cup second round.
Well-taken goals either side of half-time from Ryan Flynn and Billy Mckay helped the hosts progress.
Though League Two promotion chasers Doncaster had a late push, netting a penalty through Liam Mandeville in added time, Robinson felt his side were fully worthy of progression.
“We thoroughly deserved it and should have scored more than two,” he said.
“For an hour we dominated large parts, created a lot of chances and played some very good football.
“We were nervy to start with, which is understandable having lost the last two. People feel the pressure a bit and no matter what you say to them, they are human beings.
“After that, there were some very good performances. We made it hard work in the final ten minutes with seven men – Ollie Banks, Ryan McLaughlin and Charles Dunne all had cramp and Ryan Flynn had two ankles that had lumps kicked out of them. They showed great character.”
Lee Erwin swung and missed badly early on with his right foot for the home side and the striker also forced a save from Marko Marosi before Flynn opened the scoring with a calm low finish from close range on the cusp of half-time.
Oldham were put further in control eight minutes into the second half when Flynn stole possession from Mathieu Baudry, teeing up Mckay for a clinical, first-time left-footed shot low across Marosi.
Marquis forced a low stop from home goalkeeper Connor Ripley, who also saved well from Cedric Evina, while at the other end Flynn placed an effort a foot wide as he was sent clear on goal by Mckay’s flick.
Doncaster pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Mandeville in the fourth minute of added time after Cameron Burgess had hauled the forward down, but Oldham held on despite a late onslaught.
“It’s a really poor result because this was a good opportunity to get into the next round,” said Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson.
“This was a game I really wanted to win, and we would have won if we had done the right things, but we’re out of the cup and that’s it until next year.
“Both goals we conceded were very poor, although we got some positives because Liam Mandeville and Alfie Beestin were both excellent for 90 minutes.
“I had to make (eight) changes because of the circumstances we find ourselves in with injuries and with a bug that seems to be going round. “I only had five subs. I couldn’t name any of the young lads on the bench because the youth team had already gone to Hartlepool.”