Oldham manager Dave Penney was delighted with his team's stirring comeback in the 2-2 draw with 10-man Colchester.
The Latics equalised through substitute Ryan Brooke's diving header, leaving Colchester to pay the price for a needless red card. The visitors were 2-0 up early in the second half when ex-Oldham left-back Marc Tierney kicked the ball away and received his second booking.
``The players did exactly what we asked them to do,'' said Penney. ``Maybe it was easier against 10 men but we have worked on our passing all week because Colchester have two giants at the back and there was no point throwing the ball in the box."
He added: ``It was important to be patient when Colchester were sitting back. They were brave enough to pass it and be patient and it was a great goal by Ryan near the end.
``We haven't won many games recently but we are heading in the right direction and we've played a lot of big teams over the last few weeks.
``I'm delighted with the performance more than the result but you have to be pleased to come back from 2-0 down.''
Colchester took an early lead when David Fox seized on hesitant defending, before Kayode Odejayi headed home their second.
But Tierney got his marching orders and Oldham pulled one back seven minutes later through Chris Taylor's penalty, before Brooke's late equaliser - a goal which left Colchester manager Aidy Boothroyd rueing what could of been.
``It is very frustrating but we have to take it on the chin and move on,'' Boothroyd said. ``It would have been a fantastic result if we had held on. Marc Tierney is frustrated but it was probably the right decision.
``All the players are disappointed that we didn't win but that shows the sort of people we have in the dressing room and their determination to do well."
