Eugene Dadi popped up with a late goal to earn Tranmere a 1-1 draw at Oldham and keep their long unbeaten run intact.
The Wirral team looked sure to lose for the first time in a dozen league and cup games before Dadi pounced for a dramatic 87th minute equaliser.
Oldham were stunned as they had dominated the second half and gone in front through Scott Vernon's 13th goal of the season after an hour.
Chances were few and far between in a scrappy match but Oldham though they had done enough to secure their third home win in a row.
Player manager John Sheridan said: "I'm very disappointed we did not come away with 3 points. Our second half performance deserved victory and we scored another good goal from Scott Vernon.
“We have played better but it’s hard to take when you concede sloppy goals and they cost important points.
“I thought we had done it because Tranmere hardly had a shot and our defending had been quite solid. But then we let ourselves down and that is something you can’t afford when you need wins to move up the table." Tranmere had the first opening when their impressive young striker Iain Hume burst clear for a one against one with Leslie Pogliacomi.
But the Oldham keeper got his angles right and, although it was only the eighth minute, made what proved to be the only big save of the match.
Hume fired a couple of half chances over the bar while Oldham defender Michael Clegg shot wide after a good run.
And Oldham broke the deadlock when midfielder Danny Boshell set up Vernon who drilled into the bottom corner with his right foot from 16 yards.
Oldham stayed on top and Vernon was narrowly off target with a chance made by sub Chris Killen - the New Zealand star making his comeback form injury.
But then Ryan Taylor sent in a free-kick from the right and Dadi was given far too much time to control it and shoot home from 10 yards.