Since part-taking in the lower rounds of the FA Cup, the Latics haven't really been thrown anything easy. On being relegated from the top 2 divisions, the Latics have found no place to run to, and definitely nowhere to hide. Unknown quantities are always the sort you wish to avoid and in recent seasons, the Latics have always been considered as a potential shock exit against the likes of Hednesford Town, Barrow and Burton to name but a few.
These games must be played though, however I would feel easier getting a Heybridge Swifts and 7-0 them as Bristol City did. But there are real dangers in the Conference and the Latics always find them. Hednesford Town gave the Latics a royal run with Neil Pointen as manager, whilst Barrow forced a replay against a very nervous Latics last season. So this match, against ex-Latics forward Dudley and son of the prodigy known as Cloughie was never going to be a pushover. However, the statistics by the end of the match proved it should have been as the Latics notched up 18 goal attempts to Burton's paltry 3 (2 on target, which were their goals). And if you count the corners, the Latics had 16 to Burton's solitary 1. Says it all.
However, there are times when these smaller teams gain compassionate referees who like the thought of being part of a major cup upset. Surely Mr M Jones would have sat at home on Saturday, sipping his glass of red wine and silently grinning to himself, had it not been for a small slice of justice which prevailed through Hall's equaliser at the death. Indeed, he might have told his grandchildren one day that he officiated an FA Cup upset as minnows Burton ousted flying Oldham Athletic. Thankfully, some justices do prevail and the Latics need to make sure that the replay is a more comfortable ride.
Regardless, credit must go where it is due. Burton came with a plan - one that many do when they see the mammoth task ahead. At times they had 7 men as centre-backs with 3 players waiting to break quickly on the counter (noticeably Dudley was positioned to do this for most of the game). Add to this, 1 of the 3 waiting to break often patrolled on the halfway line, meaning the Latics needed 2 to look after the danger. It worked well as the Latics looked suffocated at times in a claustrophobic final 3rd in Burton's half. Trying to find space was as frustrating as trying to run in thick mud and the Latics had to keep concentration as they went for a 2nd half winner. But they lost it once and former Latics striker Craig Dudley made them pay with a finish that he never graced the Boundary Park faithful with. Dudley's goal set up a tense, fraught and at times, desperate final half an hour for the 2nd division side.
The game could have been so different though, but for goalkeeper Duke, some betting finishing and some extremely improved officiating. Indeed, Andrews had already had a couple of chances by the time Low netted. It was a simple ball over the defence from Berehall which allowed Corazzin to nod down into Low's path for him to volley home. 1-0.
Minutes later, the Latics looked to break dangerously again, but Andrews was hooked waist height by Hoyle's legs. Despite what has been reported elsewhere, Hoyle was not sent off for his language, but more the colour of his tackle - one which left Andrews writhing in pain. It was a disgraceful and dangerous tackle which left the referee no option but to flash a red. However, from there on the referee's performance was a good as the tackle which saw Hoyle march.
With the Latics a goal and a man to the good, the advantage needed pressing but despite the hosts pressure it was Burton who broke on 28 and almost levelled things. Dudley broke down the right wing and fired in an accurate, pacey cross for Moore on the penalty spot. He rose above the defence, but Burton's top-scorer couldn't get enough on the ball and could only glance the ball wide.
The Latics responded as Eyres laid off a cross-ball for John Eyre to run onto and crack an effort. From around 15 yards, Eyre's effort rebounded away off Duke's knees. Despite the possession and pressure, the Latics found success in forcing corners but lacked a bit of penetration to break open the well-manned Albion defence. And on 42, Burton were given a very important lifeline.
With Burton advancing into the Latics area, the hosts gave the visitors a throw-in. As the throw-in was taken Hill went to shepherd Moore on the edge of the box and when the ball got to Moore, Hill shunted into the Albion striker. In exaggerated style, Moore collapsed to the ground and the referee gave a very, very soft penalty. Despite Latics fans protests that if it was a foul (which is wasn't, as you'd have 4 pens in every game if they were always given) then it was outside the box. The incident, unfortunately was definitely in the box, but this penalty smacked of compassion for the minnows and an attempt for Mr Jones to get on Match of the Day. Webster duly stepped up to send Pogi the wrong way. 1-1.
As the Latics reeled in anger, they threw the artillery forward and for the last couple of 1st half minutes won corner, after corner. Corazzin saw one "turn and shoot" from close-range blocked and then after a good ball in from Eyres, saw a volley well saved by Duke. But for all their pressure, the hosts went in level allowing Burton fans to celebrate during half-time.
The 2nd half saw little change in the way the game was going. More Latics pressure, more chances and more frustration. Andrews had one effort blocked, Hall struck a daisycutter inches wide and then Andrews saw another effort saved as his angled snapshot was well held by Duke.
Disaster then struck as the defence switched off for a fatal moment. A long punt found Moore in the centre circle. The defence went to deal with him, but Moore laid the ball back to Clough who spotted Dudley's run from inside his own half. The ball was well placed allowing Dudley to run free and Berehall to chase in vain. Shrugging off the Latics defender, Dud's rounded Pogliacomi and scored sending Burton Albion fans into wild celebration. 1-2.
A nightmare scenario faced the 2nd division side now. With over half an hour to go, the job looked manageable and let's not forget that the visitors only had 10 men. However, the officials were doing well enough to make up an 11th and 12th man at times.
Despite the urgency, the Latics really should have been level within minutes though. On 64, Low's ball into the box found Armstrong who toe-poked at goal. Duke saved at point-blank range and Andrews needed to just hit into an empty net but failed to negotiate the angle. Dowie then threw Killen on for Hill to boost the attack. However, very little in the way of real clear cut chances came and Scott Vernon soon entered the battle.
The final 10 minutes arrived, with the Latics still hitting a sea of yellow and running down blind alleyways. Corner, after corner presented little joy however, final substitute for the Latics - Duxbury - was furious with himself as he missed the best chance of the match. Eyres' corner ball to the back post fooled everyone and Duxbury flew in unmarked for a tap home. Whether the ball bounced up or not, Duxbury looked destined to net but mis-timed it and scuffed the ball wide.
Chances were now appearing thick and fast, and now Hall had joined the attack. On 84, a scramble in the box presented Vernon with a swivel on the spot to crack one for the top corner. Duke reacted in an instant to firmly pluck the ball out of the air. Then as Corazzin chased a far post ball, he was blatantly shoved to the ground as he looked to nod home. No penalty was given sending Latics fans in the Chaddy End into a frenzy.
Just as things looked as though they couldn't get any worse, every Latics fan thought an equaliser had arrived but for the most ludicrous offside decision ever witnessed. Hall broke in the box, shot for goal and saw his effort deflect into the 6 yard box for Corazzin to tap home. The referee was about to whistle for a goal, until the linesman amazingly raised his flag. Burton even had a defender on the goalpost - how could it have been offside?!?!
Precious seconds were disappearing like the proverbial sand in the egg timer. With 89 on the clock, Killen fed Vernon from the left but the rookie dragged his shot despairingly wide. But just when it looked as though the Latics were to be humbled, finally, it came. Another pumped ball found Killen on the edge of the box. He nodded over Burton's last man finding Hall. With superb attention paid to the goalkeepers hesitation, Hall nodded the ball up and over the keeper sending the ball looping into the back of the night. Sheer relief roared around Boundary Park.
Just as when justice had prevailed, further justice was almost enacted as Hall nearly produced another glorious goal - one that would have been a justified winner. Instead, this header which darted for the top corner was superbly finger-tipped to safety. Duke, in effect, had kept them in the tie at the death - something he had done for the 90 minutes of normal time. In the end, it was just an accumulation of poor Latics concentration and bad officiating which allowed Burton to take this match back to Eton Park. With the SKY camera's there, this tie should prove a fascinating spectacle. Surely though, this time though, the Latics won't leave it as late to settle it. We hope!!!