Hallam Hope is refusing to give up on Oldham Athletic's play-off dream and insists: "We're not out of it!"

Latics missed the chance to put pressure on the play-off pack on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by rivals Rochdale in the lunch-time kick-off at Boundary Park.

It was a bittersweet occasion for Hope, who scored his first goal of 2024 to give Oldham an early lead, only to see it cancelled out before the half-hour.

The forward was delighted to fire Latics in front - his second derby goal of the season having scored in the 4-3 away win in October. But he was frustrated with how the game panned out, with Latics unable to turn further possession and chances into the goals needed to win such a crucial game.

"I think we probably should have got more than a point. We kept them in their half for, I'd say, most of the game. We just couldn't find that opening for the second goal," said Hope, who boosted Oldham's firepower in the absence of the injured Joe Garner and suspended Mike Fondop.

"I'm always happy to get a goal as an attacking player. And any derby you're obviously happy to score in. I scored in the away fixture and that was a great feeling, and it was again (on Saturday).

"We just needed to try to get that second one."

But although the point left them five points adrift of seventh with three games to go - including a scheduled trip to top seven rivals Halifax on Wednesday night - Hope insists Latics must keep fighting while there is still a chance to clinch a play-off place, and end a winless run that has stretched to eight games.

"We were disappointed not to get the win against Rochdale, we probably deserved it. But we'll keep going and try to get the win on Wednesday and keep pushing," said the forward.

"It's still not over, we've just got to try to stay positive and win every game we play from now.

"You have to keep going. Strange things happen in football in every league and we're not out of it. It's doable, so we'll keep going, keep positive and we'll just try to win every game and see where we end up.

"It happens all the time so we'll just keep positive and keep going and keep the mentality that it can happen and try to get the wins."