Latics fans recognised the extenuating circumstances that conspired against them, with Kai Payne and Kane Drummond harshly sent off by the half-hour mark.

They also recognised the effort the remaining players put in to try to get something out of the game either side of what proved to be a 52nd minute winner for Danilo Orsi.

Here is what some Oldham fans had to say about the performance of the players, and referee David Rock, on social media after the game:

The sendings off changed the game despite the circumstances we played as well as we could. Crawley were very poor.

Can't believe I'm saying this after losing 0-1 at home to Crawley, but that's an Oldham performance I can get behind.

Best team on the pitch, even with 9 men, they showed the passion we've been after. Tell me the last time they got a standing ovation after losing.

Ref inept.. We huffed and puffed..Fondop bullied their defenders..but missed a big chance early..we need some wins desperately

Shocking refereeing

Hopefully it's a shining light on us as the togetherness has never looked so good in the team and I think Fondop did brilliant holding the ball up to bring players into the game as we did deserve to get that equaliser. Nearly got it

In the long list of bad referees in this league, he is by far the worst. Both reds should be appealed and the ref should serve the suspensions instead. The main positive was the shift our players put in - we deserved at least a draw and they’re clearly still on Mellon’s side.

Unbelievable poor ref, never seen a worst performance in 50 years

Seems we need VAR in every league especially lower leagues where referring standards are often abysmal. Not much consolation if these cards are over turned.

An absolute disgrace of a refereeing performance. We were the better team even when it was 9 men against 12.

The most inept refereeing display I've ever witnessed in 40 odd years watching the game.

The players gave everything despite the inept ref and i was hugely proud. Who knows how it would have ended otherwise. Likely a win. Northampton is now a massive game

We were excellent. Mike Fondop was exceptional. The referee was the worst I've seen in 60 years plus. How do such people get accreditation? Livelihoods are at stake and the response is incompetence of the highest order. Shameful