“I REALLY don’t know where that comeback came from,” said a bemused Rob Edwards after seeing his Forest Green Rovers side surrender a three-goal lead and two points.

There were plenty more scratching their heads too.

Latics had averaged less than a goal a game going into this fixture. So when the League Two leaders established a 4-1 lead early in the second half - and in front of a home crowd diminished by the ‘Empty the Park’ protest - few, if anyone, would have expected them to get close to mounting a challenge to the scoreline.

But Hallam Hope gave them hope when he came off the bench to score only his second goal for the club he joined in the summer.

And when Davis Keillor-Dunn added to his first half stunner to narrow the gap further, well, it was game on.

With nothing to lose in their endeavours to get something out of the game, Latics played with a wild, attacking abandon that was edge of the seat stuff. It’s been a while since that was experienced in a league game and it was a breath of fresh air in what turned out to be a breathtaking second half where the scoreline switched from 4-1 to 4-3, to 5-3 and ultimately 5-5 courtesy of an own goal by the otherwise impressive Kane Wilson.

But it took some bold play, and bold decisions by Oldham’s interim head coach Selim Benachour to make it happen, after his preparations for the game were disrupted in the run-up to kick off.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson might have been hesitant in turning towards his Plan B for Covid, but when it came to Latics’ team selection Benachour had no qualms about it.

The club’s caretaker made five changes to the team which put in a more positive performance against Tranmere in midweek, albeit with a negative outcome as Rovers ran out late 1-0 winners. But there would have been more alterations had it not been for circumstances.

Benachour had prepared for Jamie Hopcutt being in his starting XI to face Forest Green Rovers instead of Davis Keillor-Dunn. However, when Hopcutt was late in arriving at Boundary Park on matchday, Keillor-Dunn got the nod ahead of him.

And what a response, as the attacking midfielder unleashed a right foot rocket to give Latics a dream start.

But the lead was predictably shortlived as Latics made it too easy for Jack Aitchison to equalise two minutes later.

From there, Forest Green demonstrated why they were six points clear at the summit, with a game in hand, before kick-off. Wilson dominated down the right and created chances, while Jamille Matt took advantage of some unconvincing goalkeeping to apply two tidy finishes and make it 3-1 at the break.

Junior Luamba was handed his first start after a lengthy injury and tried to make things happen, but in his first game in over three months - against the league leaders - it was a big ask for him to find his feet quickly, and a big responsibility, given that he had only previously started three league games.

Matt Stevens picked up where Forest Green had left off, adding a fourth early in the second half, and an already quiet Boundary Park fell completely flat. It had been missing the beat of the Athleticos’ drum and their infectious chants, while at least 1,000 were absent from the usual crowd - a conservative estimate given that season ticket holders are included in the numbers whether they turn up or not. But when Hope pulled a goal back a switch was flicked on and off the pitch.

Whether the fans get the players going or the players get the fans going is like the age-old chicken and egg debate. What comes first?

On Saturday it was the players lifting the mood. The more goals went in, the louder the home crowd, which was particularly sparse in the Rochdale Road End and North Stand.

Even when Stevens reacted to Jayson Leutwiler’s double save to make it 5-3 just after the hour, after Keillor-Dunn had converted substitute Jack Stobbs’ cross at the far left post, players and fans alike were unfazed.

Their optimism was rewarded when Stobbs broke his Latics duck, cutting in from the left to curl an excellent shot beyond Luke McGee.

Harry Vaughan replaced Dylan Bahamboula to offer fresh legs and energy and another attacking outlet.

But it was from another Stobbs delivery that Latics got the equaliser, with Kane diverting it past his own keeper.

Latics had chances to win it but had to settle for the most unlikely point in the end.

But while the comeback was sensational, the league table was sobering, as a win for Carlisle leaves Oldham three points adrift of safety. And that is the grim reality.

This comeback will only count for something if they can back it up over the crucial Christmas period and turn this positivity into essential points on the board.