Burton Albion 2 Oldham Athletic 2 ( 4-5 penalties)

THE Latics secured a second round FA Cup tie at home to Cheltenham Town after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against non-league Burton Albion at Eton Park.

Canadian striker Carlo Corazzin scored the decisive spot-kick for the Latics, who were also indebted to goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi after a couple of superb saves in the shoot-out.

The Conference minnows gave the Latics an almighty scare, and the tie seemed to be heading in Burton's favour when Christian Moore put them in the lead with 10 minutes of extra time left.

But veteran David Eyres forced the penalty shoot-out with just four minutes left, netting his sixth goal of the season with a close-range volley.

It left Latics boss, Iain Dowie, a relieved man.

Dowie said: "When Burton went 2-1 up I thought the worst, but full credit to my lads for not knowing when they are beaten.

Resilience

"We have been below our best for the last three or four matches and it has taken sheer resilience to remain unbeaten during that time.

"I was not pleased with the manner of at least one of Burton's goals, but we are still in the FA Cup and I have to be happy with that."

Burton made life difficult for the Latics in an even first half with player-manager Nigel Clough, watched by his father, Brian, pulling the strings in a superb midfield performance.

Clyde Wijnhard's 11th strike of the season five minutes after the restart breathed new life into the Latics, but Dowie's side failed to capitalise on a succession of promising opportunities.

They were made to pay for their profligacy when diminutive striker Moore nodded home at the far post with six minutes of normal time remaining.

Extra time proved inconclusive, so the tie moved to penalties.

Pogliacomi saved from Aaron Webster and Dale Anderson, while Stuart Reddington hit the bar.

Wijnhard and Sheridan failed for the Latics, whose successes came from Eyres, Chris Killen, Fitz Hall, Clint Hill and Corazzin.

Meanwhile, Oldham Athletic centre-back Stuart Balmer, one of six players being freed to slash a crippling wage bill, is a target for Scunthorpe and Boston.

The 33-year-old has just returned from a month's loan with Scunthorpe.

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