Updated / Saturday, 30 Nov 2024 **22:52**
Republic of Ireland under-21 goalkeeper Josh Keeley headed home a dramatic late equaliser to rescue Leyton Orient in their FA Cup second round tie against Oldham Athletic
The visitors had led until the ninth minute of stoppage time, through Manny Monthe’s 47th-minute goal and looked to be making their way into the third round, the stage in which the Premier League elite join the competition.
However, Keeley, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, took the tie into extra time when he went up for a free-kick and headed home.
There was a repeat performance in extra time as Dan Agyei, having missed a penalty in the first extra period, applied the finishing touch to an Ollie O’Neill corner in stoppage time in the second.
Latics had deservedly taken the lead two minutes into the second half when Monthe got a touch on a long throw by Reagan Ogle to squeeze the ball into the net at the near post.
Orient finally began to impose themselves late in the game but the visitors held out until the 99th minute, when Keeley met a Tom James set-piece to extend the tie.
The drama continued as in the final minute of the first extra period, Agyei sent his penalty wide of the target. However, he saved his blushes with the last-gasp winner that broke the gallant Oldham hearts when he headed home in a crowded penalty box.
Afterwards, Orient head coach Richie Wellens compared Keeley's heroics to those of cult figure Jimmy Glass, who famously scored a goal to keep Carlisle United in the Football League back in 1999.
"I think this will go down – not the game, but the moment in the game – will go down in (history)," Wellens said in a video posted on the Orient's X account. "Remember when Carlisle scored in the last minute, when Jimmy Glass scored a goal to stay in the league?"
He added in his press conference: "Full credit to Josh because he deserves this. He has the character and the belief and I’m pleased for him and all the team."