GOALKEEPER Luke Southerington was the unlikely hero as Oldham Athletic came back from behind to beat Carlisle United on penalties in the FA Youth Cup first round.

Latics had trailed three times in the first 90 minutes, when Southerington - who had saved a 32nd minute penalty to keep the score at 1-0 - equalised with a stoppage time header to take the game into extra time.

Selim Benachour's Under 18s went in front for the first time in the tie in extra time through midfielder Aaron Atkinson, only to be pegged back and prompt penalties.

But after Southerington saved the first Latics never looked back.

Carlisle got off to a flying start when Sam Fishburn headed Charlie Watt's corner home after just three minutes.

Harry Vaughan, who signed a professional deal at Boundary Park at the end of his first year scholarship and had to receive permission from the first team to play, helped to spark a fightback and caused problems for the home side, while Kane Badby had an effort cleared off the line.

Latics captain Asa Hughes was forced off through injury just before the half-hour and was replaced by Llyton Chapman, who went on to equalise on the stroke of half-time. But not before Southerington had saved a penalty from Fishburn to prevent Carlisle doubling their advantage.

Instead it was 1-1 at the break thanks to Chapman. But Charlie Watt restored the home side's lead just before the hour with a free kick that he curled over the wall and into the corner.

Their lead was short-lived though as Isaac Modi advanced and put Carlisle's backline under pressure before playing a composed Jim Simms clean through to slot past the goalkeeper.

Atkinson was denied by the post following good work by Vaughan, only for Watt to send a ball into the six-yard box where defender Jack Ellis made it 3-2 to the home side with a header.

Deep into stoppage time and with nothing to lose Southerington went up for a Vaughan free kick, and sparked remarkable scenes when he headed into the top corner to force extra time in dramatic fashion.

Latics led for the first time in the 99th minute thanks to a fine finish from Atkinson from the edge of the box.

But on the stroke of half-time in extra time Fishburn grabbed his second of the night and Carlisle's fourth to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

Southerington saved Carlisle's first. Latics were on target with them all and Modi scored the winning spot kick to send them into the second round.

LATICS: Luke Southerington, Asa Hughes (Llyton Chapman 29), Oliver Kilner, Frazer Cookson, Trey Turner (Ryan Spencer 94), Aaron Atkinson, Harry Vaughan, Joe Edwards (Kofi Moore 82), Jim Simms, Isaac Modi, Kane Badby (Favour Okeke 64).

Unused subs: Kacper Danielewicz, Sam Davidson, Jake Forshaw.

Goals: Chapman 45, Simms 62, Southerington 90+6, Atkinson 99

CARLISLE: Breeze, Potts (Swinburn 115), Bell, Carr, Ellis, Kilsby, Watt, Garvey (Taylor 92), Fishburn, Bollado (Gordon 130), Nugent (Hardy 70).

Unused Subs: Simons, Fitzpatrick.

Goals: Fishburn 4, Watt 59, Ellis 78, Fishburn 115