AARON Wildig scored the only goal of the game as Morecambe booked their spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup with victory over Oldham.
The midfielder opened his account for the season on his first appearance of the campaign to earn the Shrimps a clash against Premiership side Newcastle.
The goal itself was well worked. Liam McAlinden once again provided the assist with a lovely through ball for Wildig who brushed off the challenge of his marker before beating Ian Lawlor with a cool finish from 10 yards out.
Boss Derek Adams made seven changes to the side that beat Cheltenham but the changes made little difference to the Shrimps; attacking intentions as they had the better of the early stages.
Carlos Mendes-Gomes saw an early shot blocked by Oldham defender Carl Piergianni and Alex Kenyon heading over a right wing corner from Wildig before Jordan Slew drilled a shot over the edge of the box.
Oldham looked a threat on the counter attack with pace on both wings. They created a good opening of their own when Andrew Badan weaved his way into the Morecambe area but produced a poor finish as he stabbed an effort wide of the when he should have done better.
Zak Dearnley then saw a shot blocked by Sam Lavelle and an effort from Conor McAleny strike Ryan Cooney before Morecambe went close to a second on 41 minutes when Cooney's long range shot crashed against the crossbar with Lawlor beaten.
The second half saw plenty of effort from both sides but ew clear cut chances.
McAlinden drilled a low shot wide on the turn and Adam Phillips fired a low shot off target moments after coming off the bench.
With time running out Oldham staged a late rally and dominated the final stages.
They almost equalised at the death when central defender Piergianni headed a left wing corner just over the bar from a great opening and there was clear relief when Bobby Grant shot weakly straight at Mark Halstead from a good position.
The visitors ended the game on top but the Shrimps’ defence remained firm to book a tie against Steve bruce’s Newcastle.
Morecambe: Halstead, Cooney, Lavelle, Davis, Hendrie, Wildig (rep Phillips 65), Kenyon (rep Diagouraga 65), O’Sullivan, Mendes-Gomes (rep Pringle 65), Slew, McAlinden. Subs not used: Turner, Mellor, Knight-Percival, Price.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Jombati, Hamer, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Garrity (rep Rowe 83), Whelan, McAleny, Fage (rep Grant 65) Dearnley, Badan (rep Keillorr-Dunn 65). Subs not used: Woods, Barnett, Da Silva, Hough.
Ref: B Toner.