Des Hamilton came into the team in the place of Jason Crowe who started his four match suspension. Otherwise it's as you were for Town with Phil Jevons continuing on the left wing. Iffy Onuora keeping his place up front alongisde Michael Boulding.
The Latics, now managerless after Iain Dowie's departure to Crystal Palace, started the game at 100mph. The loan strike pairing of Jermaine Johnson (Bolton) and Calvin Zola (Newcastle) had pace to burn, although it was the Town defence who often got scorched.
After 6 minutes that pace was almost used to brilliant effect. On the break, the wonderfully named, Earnie Cooksey released Johnson who fed Zola before firing past Davison. Luckily for Town the linesman spotted the Newcastle man was miles offisde.
From the free-kick Town attacked with intent. Campbell's delightful cross found Onuora in acres of space in front of goal, the veteran's downward header bounced into the turf and into the welcoming arms of Les Pogliacomi.
Town didn't have wait to take the lead though. And what a goal it was. Pouton's ambitous 25-yard effort took a wild deflection from an Oldham defender and fell kindly to Jevons on the left hand side of the box. Town's new 'left winger' brilliantly lobbed the giant stopper with a deft touch before embarking on his now trademark mad celebration dash.
Town won possession straight back from the kick-off and should have made it 2-0. Boulding's clever lay-off fed Hamilton who surged forward in an athletic manner with the goal in his sight. Amazingly though the former Cardiff man ran away from the goal and into the path of the Mark Hudson who cleared to safety.
15 minutes in and the largest home crowd of the season were getting a real Christmas treat with both side bombing forward at full speed. Sadly the next incident slightly ruined the game.
Johnson got the better of Crane, in fact it was almost embarassing watching the Town defender trying to keep up. Johnson went to floor as Crane chased, whether contact was made or not was hard to tell or if Crane was the last man. The Town No 5 never appealed and referee Graham Salisbury, in a somewhat arrogant manner, called Crane over from 40 yards to show the red card. Town were down to ten men after just 16 minutes.
Ford came on for Onuora to take Crane's place in defence. That left just Boulding up front in a 4-4-1 system.
Any hopes of holding on where dashed after just 18 minutes. Paul Murray was given acres of space to deliver a cross from the right, Town's defence watched leaving Johnson to head home from close range.
The breaking up of the rock solid Crane/Edwards partnership hit Town badly. Ford looked a pale shadow of the player who broke through just over two years ago. Gone is his confidence and strong positional play. Instead it was more like watching a rabbit in car headlights.
On 24 minutes another Oldham goal was ruled out for offside. Zola's electric pace was too much for Town to deal with, although he was clearly offside.
7 minutes later Oldham took the lead they deserved with a fine counter attack. Zola sped away down the right before drilling a crossfield ball to Cooksey, who fired low past Davison and into the net.
On 33 minutes it should have been curtains. Mark Hudson was unmarked at a corner and how he managed to hit the woodwork only he will know.
A thrashing appeared to be on the cards, although Town offered two signals of hope before the break.
First Ford controlled well from a Town corner, his turn left the defender beat but the finish was woeful and spannered into the Pontoon.
The second effort was more difficult, yet worryingly closer to goal. Boulding's lay-off found the onrushing Jevons who fired goalwards from 35 yards. Pogliacomi was beat but the ball sailed past the post.
Town held on till half-time, something that Paul Groves must have been delighted with.
The half-time talk had it's effect as Town came out a different team. The Zola/Johnson partnership was still dangerous, just less effective.
15 minutes of end-to-end action ensued before Boulding doing what Boulding does best.
With his back to goal and surrounded by defenders on the edge of the area, the former Mansfield man spun on a sixpence before firing his drive across Pogliacomi and into the net.
Town now had their tail's up and Jevons solo run from the left wing deserved better support.
Jevons in particular was threatening to win the game on his own. His midair flick and drag on the touchline was simply sublime and left Michael Clegg scratching his head.
On 68 minutes both teams made changes. Oldham replaced Zola with Scott Vernon. Town took Boulding off for Darren Mansaram. Boulding had struggled all week with illness, which probably played a part in his removal.
Johnson was then played through from midfield and easily skipped around Davison. With the goal at his mercy, the Jamacian hesitated giving Simon Ford time to get back and make a great goalline clearance.
Veron made a swift impact on the game, in fact it took just five minutes for him to restore Oldham's lead. Again it was a quick break and crossfield ball which brought Town to their knees. Vernon's shot was too quick for Davison to react to.
Town showed their determination though and pulled things back 3 minutes later. Stuart Campbell skipped past Pogliacomi but the angle was too tight to score. The clearance was put back into the box by Pouton. Mansaram's nod down found Jevons who skipped past his man before firing beyond the advancing 'keeper. Cue: Mad dash down the touchline.
Straight away Marcel Cas was brought on for Des Hamilton as Groves looked to take advanatage of the Dutchman's pace.
Cas did almost win it for Town. Picking the ball up near the touchline he ran past one, two then three Oldham shirts before laying across for Jevons. Sadly the ball was just behind 'Jevvo' and his outstretched leg lacked the power to finish.
Oldham were still a genuine threat throughout the second half though and continued to pepper the woodwork with efforts. Davison's low save from Johnson's close range header was reflex action at it's best.
Johnson then fired against the crossbar from long range as Town held on until the final whistle.
Man of the Match - Phil Jevons. No-one fought harder, no-one chased back more and no-one else scored two goals. A great performance from Jevvo, despite playing out of position on the left wing. Who knows what damage he and Boulding could do up front.