League One's Oldham Athletic pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent years courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Premier League outfit Liverpool at Boundary Park this afternoon.
The tie got off to a positive start for the home side, who went in front with just three minutes on the clock. Matt Smith was the scorer, sending a downward header into the net following a cross from Youssouf M'Changama despite the best efforts of Martin Skrtel on the line.
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It took visiting Liverpool a while to settle into the encounter, but when they did, it didn't take them long to level up proceedings. It was left to captain Luis Suarez to apply the finishing touch from 10 yards out with a low strike after he had collected possession from Oldham defender Cliff Byrne with 17 minutes played.
Suarez had the ball in the net again seven minutes later, but his skimmed headed effort from a Jordan Henderson free kick was ruled out for offside.
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The Reds began to call Oldham goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis into action on a regular basis, but he proved to be equal to shots from Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling from distance.
However, despite Liverpool's apparent hold on the tie, they went into the break 2-1 down courtesy of Smith's second goal of the afternoon deep into stoppage time. Visiting goalkeeper Brad Jones failed to hold a cross from Reece Wabara, allowing Lee Croft to square for Smith, who rolled the ball into an unguarded net from two yards out.
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Manchester City lonaee Wabara then turned goalscorer just three minutes after the restart as Oldham opened up a two-goal advantage. Carl Winchester sent over a cross from the left, which Wabara sent into the net with a looping header over Jones.
Former Everton striker Jose Baxter had the chance to put the home team even further in front moments later, but his chipped shot from the edge of the area was read by Jones, who managed to hold at the first attempt.
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An onslaught from Liverpool soon followed and after a succession of shots that went off target, the arrears were reduced 10 minutes from time when Joe Allen's deflected volley deceived Bouzanis and dropped inside the right-hand post.
Having pulled one back, Brendan Rodgers's team pushed forward in search of the goal that would have earned them a replay back at Anfield.
The closest they came was in the 90th minute when substitute Steven Gerrard sent an effort from 30 yards against the crossbar, which was then subsequently cleared by the Oldham rearguard.
That was Liverpool's final chance of the contest as they slipped out of the competition at the round-four stage.
Liam Apicella
