Aodhan Doherty’s strike wasn’t enough as Billy Waters scored with the final touch of the game to ensure Oldham Athletic ran out 2-1 winners at the Rovers Academy.

After a goal-less first period, the game came to life as Doherty slammed home midway through the second period with a left-footed effort that was too powerful for Tom Donaghy.

And that was how things stayed until the final 15 minutes, with Oldham levelling things up through the experienced Joe Garner from close range, with the 37-year-old tucking home from inside the box.

Just as it looked as if the teams wouldn’t be separated, former Wrexham and Cheltenham Town forward Waters popped up with the match-winning moment, turning home beyond Jack Barrett after a long punt upfield wasn’t dealt with.

Harry Leonard was included in the starting XI as he continued his return to full fitness, with the striker supported by Harrison Wood and Doherty on the flanks.

It was the visitors – fresh from promotion from the National League back in May – who went closest to opening the scoring early on, with Ryan Woods sending an effort wide of Jack Barrett’s right-hand post inside the opening 10 minutes at the Rovers Academy.

Rovers’ response came approaching the mid-point of the first period, but James Edmondson saw his left-footed free kick whistle wide of Athletic goalkeeper Donaghy’s left-hand post.

After Leonard sent a powerful free-kick that forced Donaghy into action a moment later, Welsh midfielder Oli Hammond then brought Barrett into action with a rasping attempt from 20 yards that saw the stopper leap high to tip over the crossbar.

The opportunities continued to arrive, and next it was ex-Rover Alex Baker, who was played through and beat Barrett, only to see his powerful drive clang against the upright before bouncing clear of danger.

Barrett was called into action again just before the interval and showed good alertness to produce a fine stop by flicking over a left-footed attempt from substitute Kian Harrett and ensure the teams went into half time as they started the contest.

The second period took a little while to come to life, but the deadlock was finally broken with 57 minutes on the clock through a fine solo run and finish from Doherty.

The Northern Irish winger wrestled the ball away from the visiting right-back and drove into the box before unleashing a low strike that was too powerful for Donaghy at his near post.

Experienced defender Manny Monthe was introduced by Micky Mellon as the second-half progressed, and the giant centre back was involved after the hour. The Cameroonian headed a corner towards goal that took a deflection and could have wrong-footed Barrett, but the goalkeeper showed excellent reactions to recover and hold onto the effort.

With experience added to the Athletic team, another veteran in Garner then levelled things up with 15 minutes remaining, with the Blackburn-born frontman equalising after Regan Ogle’s long throw missed everyone before finding the ex-Preston North End forward at the back post.

Just as it looked as if the contest was going to end all square, a long ball upfield wasn’t dealt with by Leon Kelley-Quinn, leaving Bradley Stevenson to put a low ball across to the lurking Waters, who made no mistake.

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