On February 9th 2002, David Eyres slammed home a late free-kick to secure a highly significant 2-0 victory against promotion rivals, Brighton. The Chaddy End erupted into wild scenes of celebration after a nervy win had finally been cemented by the scousers brilliance. Oh, how history repeated itself little over a year later as this tense derby between the Hatters, fighting for 2nd Division survival and the Latics, fighting for a place in Division 1, turned into an end-to-end battle that needed nerves of steel to watch.
This was a match that could have gone either way. It's quite ironic that both official websites claim they deserved to sneak the win, but in truth no-one would have argued had the final score finished level. And despite a glorious number of missed chances by both parties, it look odds-on that a draw would be the case - until David Eyres stepped up.
The Latics played their usual tempo and style once they got going, which for most of the 1st half they didn't, whilst Stockport looked much better than the sorry team which suffered a 2-0 defeat at Boundary Park in November - the Latics have only won at home once since!
With the side again missing Pogliacomi in net and Hall, visiting supporters couldn't feel assured that the defence would be as rock-solid as we have seen this season - especially with Berahall suffering a current, obvious lack of form. Fortunately though, Armstrong was very lively, whilst man-of-the-match Will Haining was colossal and is fast becoming another star in the side.
Stockport on the other hand played a style which I had predicted they needed to employ in order to challenge the Latics. Rather than building-up moves from the back, Stockport countered quickly against the Latics at every opportunity and in the 2nd half, once the visitors got going too, the chances came in tandem from one end to the other.
Admittedly though, the home side were unfortunate to go in at half-time a goal down, but that was immediately rectified within a matter of seconds of the 2nd half opening. Indeed, the hosts had several decent chances after the visitors had sprung an early lead but that has been the Hatters downfall all too often this season. It seems only one man can score for them (Beckett) and when he misses, the rest of the team often misses too.
The Latics started the livelier of the 2 sides but were failing to create anything of real significance. However, as early as the 9th minute the visitors gained an advantage as Stockport failed to clear their lines properly. Having poorly defended a corner, Tidman managed to scoop a ball off the line only for Murray to drive an effort from the edge of the box, through a crowd and in of the far post. It was the dream start which the Latics needed as it helped to banish recent home results from the memory. 1-0.
As an uninspiring 1st half continued, the Latics enjoyed the lions share of possession but it was Stockport that was beginning to create the chances. With the early loss of Darren Sheridan in midfield, the introduction of a 75% fit Appleby and a 1st league start for 16 months for rookie Boshell, the midfield struggled for creativity and the Hatters were enjoying soaking it up and countering straight back. First some nervy defending allowed Daly a close-range header which he placed straight into Miskelly's hands and then on 25, Killen's mistake gifted Beckett a sight at goal. His shot beat Miskelly but rattled back off the crossbar.
The visitors were starting to struggle at the back now and it didn't help when the defence needlessly lost the ball out wide to Beckett who set a lively Ali Gibb free. He advanced towards the corner of the Latics box and fired low for the far post. Miskelly had it covered, but somehow he inexplicably failed to stop the ball allowing it too seemingly run straight into the goal. Amazingly though it hit the foot of the post, rolled through the goalmouth and ended up safely back in the Latics possession.
It was Stockport creating all the chances now and on 43, Beckett should have put the Hatters level. Another quick defensive ball set Ali Gibb down the right and his early ball fell nicely for the hosts' top scorer. Fortunately for the Latics he scuffed his effort hopelessly wide. However, justice was finally done within seconds of the re-start. On 46, Dave Challenoir's quickly taken throw sent Gibb down to the by-line and he cut back a wonderful ball into the box. Nobody traced Daly's run to the front post and he coolly glanced a looping header over everyone into the back of the net. 1-1.
Now a true test of the Latics character would be on show. Having held on to a slim lead until 25 seconds into the 2nd half, the Latics needed to wake up and put their scent on the game. Like against Cardiff 2 weeks ago, they responded well but never had it totally their own way. The 2nd half opened up and both sides played some neat, lively attacking football. For the Latics, Paul Murray was proving to be one of the stars of the day, whilst Haining looked solid and was a fine example to his fellow defenders.
On the hour mark both sides exchanged efforts as first Boshell had a great chance with a free-kick on the edge of the box but he tamely fired into the keeper's hands. Then at the other end another deadly ball in from Gibb nearly created Stockport's 2nd, but Miskelly just got down to the ball before Daly could nip in and tap home.
With the Latics looking for a hold-up man Dowie pushed Corazzin into the fray as he replaced an unusually quiet Andrews. The Canadian's first effort didn't take long as instead of allowing a ball to run through for Carss, Boshell's intended target, Carlo trapped the ball and shot for goal. Unfortunately it was frustratingly tame. Stockport retaliated and with Miskelly beaten, Gibb marginally poked wide at the back post.
With both defences looking scared to push onto any attacking presence from the opposition now, this must have turned into a fascinating spectacle for the neutral. For both sets of fans though, this had turned into a roller-coaster ride. On 71, Berahall looked scared to tackle Beckett as he shot wide and at the other end, Corazzin replied with a similar strike which whistled not too far wide.
Corazzin's introduction had done the trick in livening the Latics and this game was delicately balanced. However in the space of a few minutes, the visitors really could have wrapped it up. Killen was the guilty man - twice - as he looked to make his mark on the team but failed miserably. Fair play for being in the right place though, but the Latics really can't afford to miss the opportunities he was gifted. On 75, Murray's pass fell straight to the former Man City striker but he snatched at the ball and sliced woefully wide from 8 yards. Then on 77, the Kiwi managed a rarity for him - he beat the offside trap - and was faced with just Tidman to beat. Killen took a touch too much though and when faced with the reality of this glorious chance he seemed to have a total mind block. He seemed to freeze but then hopelessly hit the ball praying for it to hit the back of the net. It didn't - the ball rose and rose to clip the crossbar and frustratingly fly over.
The Latics really could have put the game beyond Stockport. Fortunately though, Miskelly was more alert than Killen and when called upon, he just managed to stop Daly with a desperate lunge when it looked like he was about to be beaten to it and rounded.
Finally as the match entered it's final moments, the pace dropped. Both sides would have undoubtedly been happy with a point, however the Latics' spirit this season has been to keep going until the very death which is something that has seen late equalisers in our last 2 away games. However this time, with the scores level at Edgeley Park, a late goal would of course have been a winner. It surely couldn't happen again but when a hotly disputed free-kick on the edge of Stockport's penalty area was awarded, some believed it might.
The free-kick seemed to take an age to be delivered. As Latics fans looked at the clock on 88, I had my own little flashback to Eyres' 88th minute winner at Oxford in April 2001 - a free-kick which sent them down into Division 3. As Tidman prepared his wall, he covered his right post and prepared to save anything to his left. But he got it wrong. Appleby tapped the ball to Boshell, he trapped it and Eyres stepped up to power a ball around the edge of the wall and into the back of the net. The bulging net was a most beautiful sight and even Stuart Hall would've find words hard to come by to describe its beauty. The scenes were amazing as over 3,000 Oldham fans, filling half of Edgeley Park, went crazy with sheer delight. 2-1.
To be fair on County, they had been undone in the cruellest of ways in what was most probably their best performance for ages. However, in a game that could have gone either way, so often it does go the way of the side near the top and not for the team battling near the bottom. It is a funny old adage, something which the Latics found out all too often when they first dropped into the 2nd division. On this performance, I have no doubt of Stockport's qualities or abilities to turn their season around. But in the end, this was the Latics' day. Any win which was as difficult as this (especially with so many players missing too) must be cherished, whether it was deserved or not.
As the away record remains, the Latics now face just another 6 weeks before being able to claim 12 months unbeaten on their travels. However, attentions will shortly turn to an abysmal home record which is threatening to end promotion hopes. Away from home, the boys are dynamite when they get going. Now it's time to start rocking and rolling in the Park. Enjoy the next few days fellow Latics fans because by Thursday you know that once again we'll be getting lumpy throats and sweaty palms as we dread another trip down Sheepfoot Lane. For now though, let's all lie back and think of the man formerly known as God - now trading as David Eyres.