Athletic did start brightly though. Neil Kilkenny shot from the edge of the box, straight to the 'Robins keeper Rhys Evans. They even took the lead on 15 minutes. There was some good build-up play from Betsy and Kenny Cooper (pictured), before Betsy crossed for the American to coolly finish. It was the striker's first goal on his first start in English league football.More Latics chances came and went. Mark Hughes could have twice scored from crosses by Eyres and Croft, but the Irishman finished erratically. Kenny Cooper also had more chances to double Oldham's lead, but Evans saved twice with difficulty.
Swindon had chances of their own though. Grant Smith fired wide, and forced Pogliacomi to save from a free kick. Danny Hall also headed Jamie Slabber into a chance at goal, but Big Les again cleared the danger.
Then as half time approached, Adam Griffin missed another chance for Athletic. Mark Hughes tried an audacious 30-yard lob, seeing that Evans was off his line. Fortunately for Evans, he was able to track back and caught the ball. When the half time whistle sounded, it was very much a case of what might have been for Latics. They should probably have had a bigger lead than 1-0.
At the start of the second half, play was halted because of an injury to Grant Smith. Whilst the physio attended to the Swindon forward, Alex Bruce, Danny Hall and referee (!) Mr Fletcher passed the time by playing keepie-uppies! No comment. Mr Fletcher appeared to have lost his playful spirit by the time he booked Kilkenny for diving on 52 minutes. Evans thwarted yet another chance for Latics when he palmed away an Eyres shot.
Oldham paid dear for their missed chances when Swindon equalised on the hour. Jamie Slabber's shot was blocked by Pogliacomi. Parkin collected the rebound, but Kelvin Lomax cleared his shot on the line. This clearance went as far as, you guessed it, Parkin. This time his shot went in.
Nine minutes later Oldham went behind. Grant Smith's shot was blocked, and no Oldham defenders were there to clear the danger. So Smith took aim for a second time, and made no mistake. Les had no chance again.
Brian Talbot admitted that Oldham defended "poorly" for both goals, in his post match interview with the Oldham website. He continued by saying that his young side "looked tired second half...We didn't get hold of the ball at all up front."
After going 2-1 down it was looking like Swindon, rather than Athletic, who would score. Big Les saved again from Slabber, and substitute Fallon shot wide.
There was a sad moment at 66 minutes - the end of Lee Croft at Oldham. For this season, at any rate. The winger has been absolutely great for Latics in his three months here, and thoroughly deserved his ovation as he left the field for John Eyre. Athletic will miss him, especially with the injuries they have at the moment.
Even had Latics drawn this 2-2 they would have felt it was two points lost. Bad defending and finishing cost them today - but with Will Haining, Dean Holden, Chris Killen and Scott Vernon out, the Oldham squad is stretched to the limit. They will just have to pick themselves up for the match away at Blackpool on Tuesday night.