HARRY Kewell praised the impact of his substitutes in Latics’ draw at Tranmere.

The Oldham boss used all five of his available alterations in the 2-2 draw at Prenton Park as his side picked up an unlikely point thanks to Dylan Bahamboula’s strike from distance.

There was a return for George Blackwood, the Australian forward involved for the first time since the end of November after injury.

Kyle Jameson and Raphael Diarra were brought on to bolster the defence after Sido Jombati’s red card with Callum Whelan and Marcus Barnes also involved off the bench.

“I always say the sign of a good team is when your substitutes come on and they make a difference,” Kewell said.

“I felt they all did, they all came on and we had to chop and change and move things around and we had to go for it in the period where we felt we needed to.

“We got our reward and then we waited and just hoped we could have half a chance because I know if Blackwood had had half a chance at goal he would have shot, same with Marcus and if Bahamboula had got an extra chance you never know what would have happened.”

Top goalscorer Conor McAleny was one of those replaced after a coming together with former Latics favourite Peter Clarke.

“In that tangle where there was supposedly only a couple of legs he’s gone and done his wrist but he should be fine,” Kewell added.