Carabao Cup: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Accrington Stanley (5-4 pens)
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Oldham fans protested at Boundary Park by throwing tennis balls and flares onto the pitch
Oldham Athletic beat Accrington Stanley 5-4 on penalties to reach the third round of the Carabao Cup amid protests from home supporters at Boundary Park.
The match was temporarily halted after three minutes as a group of home fans, unhappy with the club's owners, threw tennis balls and flares onto the pitch.
Goalkeeper Laurie Walker proved the Latics' hero, saving spot-kicks from both Dion Charles and Matt Butcher.
Oldham had previously beaten Tranmere Rovers on penalties in the first round.
A number of home fans invaded the pitch when the Latics' win was confirmed, mirroring scenes from Saturday's league defeat by Colchester that left Oldham bottom of League Two.
The best chances for either side to break the deadlock came in the second half as Hallam Hope sent a header over the bar for the home side, before Walker saved Charles' long-range shot 10 minutes later to deny the visitors.
Oldham Athletic boss Keith Curle told BBC Radio Manchester:
[On fan protests] "We don't change our mindset, we are here to play football. I don't want to get involved in the feelings of anger and disappointment. I can't change that.
"I've had a few supporters message us and wishing us well and that is what we're about.
"Every supporter will want their bit of facetime with the owners and that's understandable."
Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman:
"Fair play to Oldham, they took some good penalties but these situations are a lottery. If Toby (Savin) has come off his line for their last penalty then fair play, but you just never see that.
"It's the first time I've ever seen that decision. The referee said Toby was two yards off his line, but it's pointless blaming anybody but ourselves.
"Our performance was way below par - you wouldn't have known that we were fourth in League One and they were bottom of League Two.
"The lads who came in just didn't grab the shirt, though. And our lack of fitness was very evident.
"We're six games into the season and the players were going down like ninepins near the end."
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