Dino Maamria was left feeling a mix of emotions following the final whistle on Saturday as his players rescued what could be a crucial point in the race for the Play-Offs...
Having fallen behind through Jose Baxter's long-range second half strike, Kurtis Guthrie's added time header secured a share of the spoils after a below-par second half performance.
“It is two performances - the first half performance and the second half performance. The first half performance was outstanding, we were on the front-foot and we should have scored two or three.
"We came into half-time nice and positive but taking nothing for granted - we still haven’t scored. The warning signs are there, normally the first 15 minutes of the second half the home teams start on the front foot. So let’s learn from Lincoln when we played really well first half and then they came out and scored early doors. All those things the players have been reminded of and then we started really poorly and carried on really. We were second best second half but I thought first half we were really good.
“Overall, a very good half we didn’t score, a very bad half we did score, so a draw is probably a fair result.”
It wasn't the first time this season that Boro had battled back from behind and Maamria praised his players for never giving up.
“To be fair, goals change momentum of the game and when they scored it gave them a lift. They got on the front foot and they were a different Oldham in-front of their fans. Credit to the players, we came back, showed character and should have won it at the end.
“We have been finishing games strong overall. We have only conceded two late goals, at Plymouth and last week but overall we have been finishing strong. Like you saw today, we could have easily won that with the free-kick and crossbar with the last kick of the game.”
The result sets up Stevenage nicely for two upcoming home games and the Manager says it is time to up the ante and give it their all for the final push.
“We have got to make sure we look after the players next week, we have got a big week ahead of us with two big games, Bury at home and Swindon at home – win those to games the picture will change.
“It is about what we do at this stage of the season. The teams that have got the belief to go all the way will grab it, the teams that are going to hesitate won’t make it.
“We have got a big week and we have got to be at our best (to beat Bury) to show everyone we mean business.”
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