Matt Smith scored twice as a Dogged Oldham Athletic shocked seven times FA Cup winners Liverpool at Boundary park. Oldham started the game with the kind of passion and industry that their manager, Paul Dickov was known for in his playing days and took the lead after just 2 minutes. Some slack defending from Liverpool allowed Youssouf M'Changama to cross for Matt Smith, whose header deflected into the net off Martin Skrtel. Liverpool looked shell-shocked and unable to cope with the physical nature of Oldham's game, as the League One strugglers continued to dictate the tempo of the game. Despite their early dominance, there was still a feeling that it was only a matter of time until Liverpool began to create; Sure enough after 17 minutes, Luis Suarez picked up the ball in his own half, ran the length of the Oldham half unchallenged and, after the ball ran back into his path off Cliff Byrne after an attempted pass, the Uruguayan made no mistake, tucking the ball home for his 21st goal of the season. Liverpool immediately settled after the goal and had the ball in the back of the net again 8 minutes later when Suarez headed in a Jordan Henderson free kick but it was ruled out for offside. In truth the game was lacking rhythm and neither team could settle into a passing game, Raheem Sterling had a good chance for Liverpool after a clever ball from Fabio Borini but his weak effort was easily saved by Dean Bouzanis in the Oldham Goal. The home side never let their heads down and the excellent Jose Baxter, formerly of Everton, was pulling their strings in midfield, twice firing wide from long range. It was looking like the half would end all square but in the third minute of injury time a goalkeeping howler from Brad Jones gifted Oldham the lead. The Australian spilled a cross from Reece Wabara into the path of Lee Croft who showed superb awareness to pick out Smith at the back post to tap in from 2 yards for his second of the afternoon. Liverpool started the second half with purpose and should have been level with their first attack; teenage left-back Jack Robinson slid a wonderful ball into the path of Borini who scuffed his shot wide when he should have, at the very least, worked the goalkeeper. It was a miss that Liverpool would be made to pay for just 2 minutes later - substitute Carl Winchester made space for himself on the left wing and crossed for full-back Reece Wabara to send a looping header under Brad Jones' crossbar and send the Oldham fans into raptures. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers reacted straight away by bringing on Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing and the Reds began to look more confident on the ball. The Liverpool and England captain immediately showed his class with some slick passes and twice could have brought Liverpool back into the game but for excellent defensive work from Cliff Bryne to block. That set the tone for the rest of the second half, Liverpool struggled to break down a stout Oldham defensive line, who showed great spirit and organisation. Liverpool did pull one back when Joe Allen's volley was deflected in off the far post and could have stolen an equaliser but Gerrard's 25 yard strike crashed back off the woodwork. A draw would have been harsh on the League one side who thoroughly deserved the win and all the plaudits that will come with it, they showed more desire and outplayed their Premier league opponents at times. Oldham's reward is another home tie in the fifth round against Liverpool's local rivals, Everton.
Man of The Match: Matt Smith (Oldham) - Everything Oldham did went through the 6ft 7 inch Striker, he held the ball up brilliantly and deserved his two goals and the glory.