David Unsworth hopes a last gasp point that ended Chesterfield's winning start to the season can kick-start Oldham Athletic's campaign.

After two defeats and one win from their opening three games, Latics took on a Spireites side that boasted an unblemished record so far in 2023/24 and topped the early table.

In the battle of the two title favourites, Chesterfield took the lead on the hour when Ash Palmer headed in Liam Mandeville's corner.

And it looked like being enough to earn Paul Cook's side a fourth straight win until James Norwood pounced in stoppage time, after Harry Tyrer spilled substitute Dan Gardner's long range effort.

The late equaliser prompted a pitch invasion from the away end, which marred the game - particularly when Everton loanee Tyrer was pushed to the floor.

Latics have since released a statement condemning the behaviour of a section of supporters.

Focusing on his team's performance, Unsworth said he was proud of the way his players stuck to the game plan and reaped their rewards.

"I'm so proud of our players, they kept going, and that could be a kick-start," said the Latics boss.

"We're four games in and everyone's been thinking we're going to win every game and win the league at a canter and we're getting on the promotion bus... we're on a journey and there are going to be a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Today's a massive up at the end, but we've all got to stick together. We can't achieve it if we don't stick together and our players stuck together and I'm really proud of our group of players.

"I thought we were brilliant.

"I'm absolutely thrilled for our players, their effort, the gameplan, the way they stuck to it, then we opened up and we got the goal at the end and it's nothing more than our players deserved and I'm absolutely delighted for them."

Unsworth added: "Our shape was unbelievable. People have got to understand Chesterfield are a really, really good team, they carve you open and they look for those pockets, and I didn't want a basketball game where you win 4-3 or draw 5-5. I don't want that.

"To go on a journey where we want to be we've got to keep clean sheets, we've got to be tight. There's more ways to win a game and there's more ways to approach a football match.

"Our players were outstanding to a man and I'm proud of them."