Town's wait for a home FA Cup win continues after their first round tie with Oldham Athletic at Portman Road ended 1-1. Wes Burns gave the Blues the lead on eight but Davis Keillor-Dunn equalised for Oldham four minutes prior to half-time, before Dylan Bahamboula saw a second-half penalty saved by Christian Walton as Town, who last won an FA Cup tie at Portman Road in January 2009, toiled against the League Two strugglers.

Boss Paul Cook made one change from the team which won 4-1 at Wycombe on Tuesday with Cameron Burgess, a one-time Oldham loanee, replacing Hayden Coulson, who picked up a knock at Adams Park, at left-back as he did from the bench against the Chairboys.

Janoi Donacien was back among the subs after missing the last two matches having been ill.

After the players had taken a knee - with usual the exception of Toto Nsiala, who raised a fist - to applause from the Portman Road crowd, the Blues were first to threaten in the fourth minute.

Kyle Edwards took the ball to the byline on the left before crossing to Macauley Bonne, who headed at visiting keeper Jayson Leutwiler, who saved. Kane Vincent-Young hit the rebound wide from a tight angle.

But it took only another four minutes for the Blues to go in front. Bersant Celina fed Bonne down the left just inside the area, the striker cut inside and hit a shot which Wes Burns turned home from the edge of the six-yard box for his second goal in two games and his fourth of the season.

Town continued to dominate against the League Two strugglers and on 13 Lee Evans sent over a corner from the right which Bonne headed goalwards and keeper Leutwiler uncomfortably palmed wide.

Two minutes later, Evans cut a free-kick on the right back to Burns, whose shot was blocked.

Oldham presented no threat until the 27th minute when Dylan Fage crossed from the right and Hallam Hope looped a header which Walton watched bounce well wide.

Three minutes later, Celina struck a powerful effort from just outside the box which Leutwiler batted away.

Blues skipper Morsy was booked for handling after he thought he'd been fouled in the 34th minute before Oldham created their first opportunity of the match.

Benny Couto crossed from deep on the left and Latics skipper Carl Piergianni’s header flew wide with the aid of a deflection.

Oldham were coming more into the game on and 38 Dylan Bahamboula, whose brother Plaisir had a trial with Town in the summer of 2012, hit a low shot beyond Walton’s far post.

In the 40th minute, Vincent-Young was just prevented from adding the final touch to an Edwards cross from the left, then from the corner George Edmundson, facing his old club, looped a header well over.

Having had a very comfortable afternoon, the Blues’ intensity had dropped somewhat and in the 41st minute the visitors levelled.

Nsiala failed to properly deal with a ball down the middle and Keillor-Dunn took it on a couple of paces before curling a shot beyond Walton’s left hand from the edge of the area.

Moments before the whistle, Keillor-Dunn played a ball to the right of the box towards Jordan Clarke but Edwards took it away from him as he was about to shoot.

Town had once again been guilty of allowing a side back into a game in which they had been ahead and very comfortable.

After gaining their early advantage, the Blues were well on top, although without creating too many chances to add to the lead.

However, they became more casual as the half wore on and the Latics had had a couple of opportunities prior to Keillor-Dunn’s goal.

Until then, Oldham had shown little and Town really should have gone in ahead at the break.

The Blues made two changes ahead of the second half with Matt Penney and Donacien taking over from Burgess and Vincent-Young as the full-backs with teams able to make five substitutions in the FA Cup this season from nine players on the bench.

Bonne headed the second half’s first chance straight at keeper Leuwiler in the 51st minute, before Conor Chaplin took over from Edwards.

On 55 Oldham had a gilt-edged chance to go in front. Evans pulled back Bahamboula as he sought to head at goal from close range and referee Hair pointed to the penalty spot, although booked Donacien, who protested he wasn't the guilty party.

Bahamboula took the resultant penalty himself but hit his strike too close to Walton, who dived to his right to push wide.

The save seemed to reinvigorate Town both on and off the pitch with the crowd upping the noise and the players the tempo with Penney just losing control when well-placed in the area on the left and then Burns overhitting a cross from the right.

On the hour, Harrison McGahey was shown a yellow card for pulling back Burns on halfway and two minutes later Bahamboula joined him for tripping Morsy in the centre circle.

Town were in control but without seriously testing Leutwiler until the 69th minute when a Chaplin free-kick from the edge of the box to the right was scrambled away by the keeper at his near post.

There was a scare for the Blues on 76 when Morsy slipped and allowed Oldham to break, however, Callum Whelan was stopped in the area by Edmundson as a number of Town players chased back. Moments later, Evans shot well over.

Bahamboula was replaced in the 79th minute, the Frenchman leaving the field to a smattering of applause from the Town support having caused the Blues a few problems. Harry Vaughan took over.

Town were toiling as the game moved into its final 10 minutes, Evans giving away first the ball and then a foul. From the free-kick, Walton saved well from Piergianni but with the flag having been raised.

On 83 Celina broke away and fed Chaplin to his left but Clarke slid in to dispossess the forward as he looked to shoot. Soon afterwards, Town swapped Burns and Evans for Sone Aluko and Rekeem Harper.

In the 86th minute Celina was sent away down the left and crossed but Chaplin’s sliding effort deflected weakly through to the keeper.

As the game moved into injury time, Town were showing few signs of grabbing a wining goal, indeed Oldham were seeing more of the ball around the Blues’ box.

Deep in injury time, Aluko broke down the right and hit a cross-shot which Leutwiler saved at his near post.

Moments later, the whistle confirmed that the two sides would meet again in a replay at Boundary Park which is likely to be a week on Tuesday.

While Oldham worked hard and on the balance of the game overall deserved their draw, Town once again had the game by the neck having taken the lead so early on but failed to kill it off.

But for Walton’s save from Bahamboula’s penalty, they could well have faced an embarrassing defeat to one of the EFL’s crisis clubs duiring a lacklustre second half.

Instead, both sides will go into the draw for the second round, which takes place on Monday evening live on ITV4 following the first round match between Dagenham & Redbridge and Salford City.

Town: Walton, Vincent-Young (Donacien 46), Nsiala, Edmundson, Burgess (Penney 46), Morsy (c), Evans (Harper 83), Burns (Aluko 83), Celina, Edwards (Chaplin 53), Bonne. Unused: Hladky, El Mizouni, Fraser, Pigott.

Oldham: Leutwiler, Clarke, McGahey, Piergianni (c), Whelan, Hope, Keillor-Dunn, Fage (Adams 87), Bowden, Bahamboula (Vaughan 78), Couto. Unused: Dearnley, Diarra, Da Silva, Diarra, Modi, Southerington. Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire). Att: 8,845 (Oldham: 437).

Photo: Matchday Images

Bazza8564 added 18:12 - Nov 6 very poor attitude today for me, at one nil we relaxed and thought we were Brazil. Step overs and flash moves were a pi88 take and we paid the price. pleased we played a strong side but at the same time missed the opportunity to give Bonne a break and Joe some minutes. would like to have been a fly on the wall listening afterwards, suspect it wouldn't have been pretty.

9

Rolosmith added 18:18 - Nov 6 I just don't understand why as soon as we have a slightly poor result, it's all doom and gloom. Since Lincoln we have won 7, drawn 3 and lost 2... this actually is pretty good form!!! Not really that inconsistent. It's time we actually just supported and stopped expecting to win every game, no football team wins every game! We changed there owners, manager, entire backroom staff and all the players over the last 9 months and it's going to be a long journey, but it's already way more exciting than the last 12 or so years.

3

runaround added 18:27 - Nov 6 Very frustrating performance. Started well for 20 minutes or so we were excellent and could have been 3 or 4 up. But suddenly we started to mess about with it doing little flicks and not taking care with the ball. We lost the early impetus and ascendancy due to sloppiness. Oldham's goal was coming and it gave them something to battle to keep hold off which they did very well. We never got the impetus back again and the players on the pitch have to take full responsibility for this. Hopefully this will act as a wake up call as we now have an unwanted replay on a Tuesday night 200+ miles away before a tough away match at Sunderland 😞

9

Bert added 18:33 - Nov 6 Basically we never got going presumably thinking that Oldham would be easy meat. They raised their game and we mucked around with no zip apart from a few minutes after the excellent penalty save. Must do better.
8

cat added 18:36 - Nov 6 The positive is when we hit a bump we bounce back, but, when we put in a great performance we hit a bump. Consistency is key here and something what's lacking at mo. No intensity in today's game from the players or the crowd and it felt like a friendly at times.
5

SickParrot added 18:46 - Nov 6 When I saw that PC had only made one enforced change I actually thought we would win an FA cup tie at last. I get the impression that having scored early the players were guilty of thinking that they would walk
3

SpiritOfJohn added 18:47 - Nov 6 Strange game today. We needed to score more when well on top and then we started showboating and overplaying instead of playing the ball quickly into dangerous areas. Credit must go to Oldham who got in our faces after starting on the back foot. The mysterious penalty decision looked like it was going to work in our favour when Walton saved and woke the team and the crowd from their slumbers, but again we tried to walk the ball into the net on a number of occasions instead of testing their keeper. Not sure how Oldham are struggling in League 2 if that performance is anything to go by. I expect Keith Curle will be asking why they can't play like that every week.

1

SickParrot added 18:59 - Nov 6 To continue my previous post ...would walk it. These players have shown that on a good day they can be very good but there are still too many bad days. I have to question whether their inconsistency indicates an attitude problem.
3

SteveDt added 19:15 - Nov 6 Who is responsible for coaching game management I,m guessing no one , it's become an issue
0

dirtydingusmagee added 19:20 - Nov 6 NOT going to Paul Cooks Firework party, he's only got DAMP SQUIBS .
0

Help added 19:48 - Nov 6 How poor was that team. Not sure if they thought they could walk it or were not expecting to play. Cook did what the fans wanted and kept the same team and once again there is a lack of consistency. Why do we blow so hot and cold. Walton's penalty save was enormous for the draw otherwise if that had gone in I don't think we would have drawn let alone won. Burgess did not look comfortable at left back and Penney was not much better. KVY is no longer a defender. Nsiala and Edmundson solid in the middle. Evans did nothing for the team today poor display. Morsy worked hard because Evans did not, but still played some awful balls at times. How many times does the ball go over Evans head. Burns good on the right. Celina got going at the start of the second half. Edwards was another not at the races looked tired and struggled to get back to help Penney and Burgess. Bonne did not win a single header and did not really do much else. Not surprised by the subs. Overall a poor a performance as I have seen this season. As I have said before our left side is weak and I would like to see Wes or Aluko used on that side as Celina is still to much of a luxury player.

1

Positive_Vibes added 19:53 - Nov 6 Whilst, like everyone else, I'm disappointed with the result today, I have to say I was surprised that we played a full strength side today. Credit to Cook for that. It's refreshing to have a Manager who doesn't say he takes the FA Cup seriously and puts out a team of fringe players and U23s. That said being as we have an EFL Trophy match next, it made sense to play our first team today if only to keep them sharp for the next league match.The result should be a reminder that we have give 100% in all matches regardless of the opposition.The EFL Trophy should give the likes of Piggot and Barry a chance to show what they can do. I'm expecting a passionate match with both sides needing to win to get through to the next round, which means it will be no walk over and a good test for those wanting to show Cook why he' should pick them. If anyone shines, they should be played in the PA Cup replay as I don't want to see our full league side playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday as the cost of our league performances. COYB!

2

Linkboy13 added 20:31 - Nov 6 If Piggott scores a hat trick in the EFL trophy he's not going to dis lodge Bonne from the first team and he probably knows that which makes it very difficult to get motivated. To days game was very reminiscent of so many league games take the lead and then sit back. The longer the cup run the less unlikely it is we will get promoted. I remember a few years back Bristol City were really flying in the championship and got involved in a cup run which ended up with a game against Liverpool i believe they got knocked out and after that they hardly won a game.

0

budgieplucker added 20:36 - Nov 6 Fair play to Paul Cook, at last a manager who sees the importance of the FA Cup and determined to take it seriously. That earns a lot more brownie points with me than for the previous incumbents of recent years who didn't really give a flying fig. Let me tell you in my 60 years of supporting the Towen, most of my memorable memories surround some humdinger cup ties and of course that magnificent match at Wembley in 1978. Now a recent analysis shows us nearly bottom of the 92 league clubs on cup performances over the last 20 years, which is not acceptable to me as a lifelong fan. Now it's up to the fans who were pretty flat today and that must have seemed an anticlimax to the team. I don't think anyone of the lads today went out not wanting to build on an excellent mid week result. I will use Sam Morsy our excellent captain who seemed to have one of those days. I saw Mick Mills have some stinkers in his time but did not let his head down and kept going just as Sam did today. Nothing seemed to go right for Sam but he kept trying to make a real difference. Give credit to Oldham they tried to play some good football but defended very well. The fans seemed have subliminally been brainwashed that the cups do not matter. What better time to take youngsters along to a match when adult prices a tenner and try to be part of an occasion!!! We have to rediscover our love for the cup and so what we have a replay, I welcome that and that we are still in the competition rather than some who see a replay as an unwanted fixture.

2

jas0999 added 20:51 - Nov 6 The past week sums us up nicely. Poor defeat at Plymouth, an outstanding win in mid week - incredible, followed by an unacceptable result today. Essentially one good result and two poor ones.if this continues, we will finish mid table as let's face it, overall it's very average. Slightly below. Is cook to blame? Who knows. But we need a consistent run of results - wins. Still concerns whether Cook has the ability to change things when things are going well. All well and good when cruising. Today was a very poor result.

6

RobITFC added 21:08 - Nov 6 Can you imagine the meltdown if Cook had made 11 changes today and got the same result.... Well done Mr Cook for respecting the FA Cup.
5

cat added 21:48 - Nov 6 Jas0999 it was a poor result but it weren't a loss. Today's performance is tricky to analyse and I doubt P.C knows the answers anymore than the players or supporters. It's football bud, simple as that. Some you win, some you lose and some you draw but we live to fight another day. No issues with an extra fixture, we have the squad to deal with it.
2

FrankMarshall added 22:32 - Nov 6 Oldham deserved it so well done to them. At least (at this point) we are still in the cup.
2

Town4me added 00:14 - Nov 7 I'd rather have lost than go to replay. As it's an extra game we don't need I'd very much like to see a 2nd string line up for the replay. Really don't care about the cup these days
-4

algarvefan added 01:21 - Nov 7 We certainly lack any type of consistency at the moment. I believe we are slowly finding our best team and they are putting in good performances, just not often enough yet. I believe Paul Cook picked pretty much the team I would have picked today, so if the players lacked motivation that needs sorting quick and the quickest way is to drop players who don't perform.
1

arc added 02:00 - Nov 7 So, is Morsy now suspended (for a fifth booking), or are bookings in the FA Cup now separate from ones in the league?
0

KiwiBlue2 added 07:00 - Nov 7 It must have been quite a celebration after the Wycombe game. Looking tired and jaded today but hopefully everyone will be back on the horse against Oxford. I exempt Burns from that of course. He has been a marvellous acquisition and appears to walk the walk where consistency is concerned.... coyb
4

LimerickTractorBoy added 09:12 - Nov 7 Yes KiwiBlue, Burns really is a marvellous signing. Class.
2

atty added 09:31 - Nov 7 This inconsistency is worrying. Is it mental weakness/lack of confidence or physical fatigue or a mixture of both? Those players clearly have the talent to rip up this division, and we now have a sports psychologist involved, and a supposedly bigger and better fitness/ performance team. Hmm.
1

atty added 09:37 - Nov 7 Morsy 5th booking, in early November.🙄
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