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Late goal keeps Oldham Athletic in FA Cup

A header from Matt Smith deep into stoppage time earns Oldham Athletic an FA Cup replay against Everton.

Matt Smith struck four minutes into stoppage time to earn Oldham Athletic a 2-2 draw from their FA Cup clash against Premier League outfit Everton at Boundary Park this evening.

Oldham's Matt Smith celebrates after heading in the equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup 5th round on February 16, 2013© PA Photos

The hosting League One outfit, who knocked out Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the previous round, began the tie brightly and went on to break the deadlock with 12 minutes played.

Lee Croft appeared to have dragged his shot from the right of the penalty area wide of the target, but Reading loanee Jordan Obita was on hand to roll the ball into an empty net from close range.

Oldham's Jordan Obita celebrates the opening goal against Everton in the FA Cup 5th round on February 16, 2013© PA Photos

Having fallen behind, David Moyes's Everton responded positively and managed to draw themselves level 11 minutes later. Victor Anichebe collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and with his second touch he powered the ball beyond Dean Bouzanis.

In what was their very next attack, Oldham went close to taking the lead again. Obita again had the shot, but on this occasion his curling effort beat Tim Howard, but cannoned to safety off the post.

Everton came out with a more attacking outlook in the second half and it took them just two minutes to go in front. Centre-back Phil Jagielka was the scorer as he beat his marker to a Leighton Baines corner and headed in from six yards out.

Everton's Phil Jagielka is congratulated by team mates after scoring his team's second against Oldham in the FA Cup 5th round on February 16, 2013© PA Photos

Croatian frontman Nikica Jelavic then had two chances to make the tie safe for the Toffees, but on both occasions he failed to find the target from inside the area.

His misses were almost punished, but Howard was able to parry efforts from substitutes Smith and Robbie Simpson.

However, Smith was not to be denied and with the very last attack of the match, he rose highest inside the Everton penalty area to plant a headed effort into the Everton net, thus earning his side a second opportunity to reach the quarter-finals at Goodison Park.

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Oldham's Matt Smith celebrates after heading in the equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup 5th round on February 16, 2013
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