David Raven came back into the starting line up for his first start since early October, with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson also getting the nod as Jason Price became the latest injury casualty with a tight hamstring.

Danny Livesey returned the bench for his first showing in over a month, with youngster Ryan Bowman also keeping his place on standby.

With a run of just two defeats in seven League One outings it was a case of asking the team to bounce back from a disappointing defeat against promotion hopefuls Leeds on Tuesday night.

United started brightly with a corner straight from the kick off, and that took two attempts to clear as Raven tried to get a telling touch on it.

Oldham broke quickly and won a corner of their own, and Gregan put that one over the bar as he beat Collin to it just outside the six yard box.

Whitaker had a shot blocked from a half cleared corner on 9 minutes as Oldham pressed forward in numbers every time they got the ball.

An error from Keogh in midfield on 26 minutes set Smalley through on the Carlisle goal and it needed excellent covering from Harte to prevent a clear shot on goal.

Adam Clayton cut a low clearance from Flahavan out as it entered midfield on the half hour, and Ben Marshall picked it up and overlapped on the left with Oldham caught out of position. Whitaker tracked back and he stopped the cross from getting through to Clayton.

Flahavan had to come off his line as Clayton rode two challenges with the referee playing advantage, and the keeper timed his movement right as the lively midfielder bore down on his goal.

Horwood had to clear the ball off the line as Oldham mounted a late first half attack, and his touch was decisive with Pawel Abbott right on his shoulder.

Half Time: United 0 - 0 Oldham

Oldham started well after the break and Abbott brought a diving save from Collin on 51 minutes when he tried his luck from distance. The corner somehow made its way through to Whitaker, but he needed a touch on the edge of the area and Keogh was able to block.

Disaster struck on 55 minutes when Clayton lost the ball in midfield. Smalley ran clear and miscontrolled as he reached the box, but that served only to release Lewis Guy. Collin was committed, and Guy did well to clip it over him and find the back of the net.

Marshall beat the offside trap moments later but he hesitated instead of shooting and that let the defender back into it to make the tackle.

Brunton Park thought a penalty had been given on 63 minutes when Keogh tumbled to the floor, but the frustration returned when realisation dawned that he was pointing for a goal kick.

Another hesitant defensive moment handed Oldham their second of the day on 64 minutes when Smalley beat the offside trap. He was forced wide by Keogh but he cut it back, and Collin's touch set it up nicely for Dale Stephens to sweep into the gaping net.

Carlisle came right back into it on 67 minutes when Madine got onto a long ball forward and tried to lob the keeper. Flahavan tipped it over, but he was soon picking the ball out of his own net when Madine nodded the delivery past the stranded stopper.

Great football from Carlisle involving Dobie, Taiwo, Bowman and Keogh carved the Latics defence open on 76 minutes but Gregan slid in to clear the cross off the line as Bowman and Dobie tried to round the move off with a goal.

Scott Dobie opted for power on 84 minutes when he had Flahavan off his line, but he struck it too cleanly and it whistled past the upright.

Dobie won a corner with a late deflected shot, and Keogh had a rush of blood with a sliced volley as the clock ticked into time added on. And that was it for Carlisle as Oldham held out to claim a vital three points.

Goals

United - Madine (67)

Oldham - Guy (55), Stephens (64)

Bookings

Oldham - Furman (80)

Teams 

Carlisle United - Collin, Keogh, Raven, Harte, Horwood, Bridge-Wilkinson (Bowman 67), Taiwo, Clayton, Thirlwell (Dobie 56), Marshall, Madine. Subs (not used) - Pidgeley, Livesey, Kavanagh, Rothery, Kane.

Oldham Athletic - Flahavan, Hazell, Whitaker, Smalley, Abbott (Eaves 79), Guy (Worthington 79), Furman, Gregan, Lee, Stephens, Marrow (Black 37). Subs (not used) - Brill, Aljofree, Brooke, Millar.

Away fans - 355