DINO Maamria endured an uncomfortable afternoon but insisted results count for more than performances after Oldham edged into the second round of the FA Cup.

Jonny Smith’s fine strike 13 minutes from time sealed Latics’ progression but they were made to work hard by a Gateshead side sitting in mid-table in National League North.

Filipe Morais had opened the scoring in the first half for Oldham but the hosts were on top for large spells, Liam Agnew getting them back on terms before Smith’s winner.

“I didn’t enjoy it on the touchline to be fair, because I like us to be in control of the game and today we didn’t control the game enough,” said Maamria.

“We caused too many unnecessary problems for ourselves. We didn’t play them off the pitch, but we managed to get the win.

“It’s brilliant to go through. The most important thing in the FA Cup is to go through.

“It is usual playing a team two divisions below you, with a point to prove who raise their level for an FA Cup game.

“We got the game we expected to get, very tough and I am glad we got through in the end.”

Against the run of play, the Latics took the lead just before the half-hour mark, former Chelsea man Morais nodding in from only a few yards out after a long throw-in was flicked on by Jamie Scott.

Smith had the chance to make it 2-0 before the break but with the goal gaping he fired straight at Gateshead keeper Brad James after being slipped in by Scott Wilson.

Wilson continued to be the major outlet for Maamria’s side, and only a last-ditch challenge from former Bury defender Michael Nelson prevented him from doubling the lead on the stroke of the break.

That was as good as it got for the Latics in the first half, with the home Gateshead crowd growing in confidence as their side continued to knock the ball around well, defying Oldham’s superiority in the football pyramid.

Had it not been for a superb second-half display from goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz, Oldham would not be in the hat for tonight’s draw.

A superb long-range strike from Harrogate loanee Agnew made the upset look possible in the 53rd minute, beating De La Paz from distance.

Oldham’s keeper had already produced a superb stop to deny Dominic Tear’s long-range effort, then making a truly world-class save from a sweetly-struck volley from Heed captain Scott Barrow.

It was against the run of play, therefore, when the Latics scored the eventual winner, Smith cutting in from the right-hand side of the penalty area and whipping in for Oldham to reach the second round for the seventh time in nine years.

Maamria added: “I think we looked at them and knew if we gave them time and space they would hurt us which they did.

“I knew the set plays were a big weakness for them, so we capitalised on that and I thought we were a threat on set-plays throughout the afternoon a little bit.

“I’m glad to see Jonny Smith pop up with another fantastic goal to win the game.

“I think we need to start defending from the front. We don’t press as a unit as I would like us to do.”