Reagan Ogle says Oldham Athletic’s fighting spirit was never more necessary – or more visible – than at Wembley.

Having swept aside Halifax and York City without conceding a goal in the first two play-off matches, Latics had a tougher time against Southend.

But when the going got tough, that’s when Micky Mellon’s men got going – twice coming from behind against Southend United, and going the distance in extra time, to book their place back in the Football League.

“It didn’t go how we really wanted, the first two games – I wouldn’t say we did it with ease but we did it quite comfortably,” reflected Ogle.

“But it was a hard-fought game (against Southend), 120 minutes’ worth of football, the boys dug deep and gave it everything they had and left it all out there and we can’t fault any of them.

“Southend were probably the favourites in that (extra time) scenario because they’d gone to 120 both times in their games and then penalties in one of them. But the boys never faltered, they dug deep in every minute of that game and came out on top.”

It made for a rollercoaster of emotions for more than 21,000 Latics fans inside Wembley, and those watching from afar. But Ogle and co had their ‘business’ head on

“When you play you’re just focused on one thing and you’re just giving it your all,” said the defender, who provided the assist for Kian Harratt’s winner.

“I believed when we went down we could easily get back into it. And then when we went to 2-2 I said to a couple of the lads ‘they’re gone here’ and we ended up getting that third straight away, and we did it!”

And the final whistle brought a range of emotions for the Australian, who joined Latics last summer from Scunthorpe United.

“I think it was more the fact that I could just rest and stop running; I didn’t have to run again. It was more relief that the game was over and we’d won,” he smiled.

“It was wonderful seeing all the fans and how happy they were. At the end of the day, that’s what we wanted for them.

“It was amazing!”

And having his parents at Wembley, having made the trip from Australia especially for the play-off final, made the occasion even better for Ogle.

“That means the most to me,” he said. “It makes it a special day.”

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