Micky Mellon says there is "work to do" after Oldham Athletic needed penalties against Mickleover to book their place in the FA Trophy fourth round.

Latics led three times in the game but were pegged back on each occasion, meaning the tie was decided on a shoot-out that Latics won 4-2.

But, while giving credit to their opponents, who top the Southern League Premier Central, manager Mellon was frustrated that his players couldn't capitalise on their advantage when they took it.

"I think all the credit must go to Mickleover to be honest.

"We're disappointed with that. That's no reflection of the way they played but we were disappointed with the way that we performed, that's for sure, and understand there's still an awful lot of work to be done here," said the Scot.

"I thought they (Mickleover) were very good, I thought they showed great energy and great enthusiasm and great character to keep coming back at us again all the time.

"They deservedly get a lot of credit for the performance so I don't want to take anything away from them.

"But looking at us, I keep saying it, I know what a big job we've got on here to push this forward and all I can do is go again with it on Monday and we will keep going forward with it. But everybody knows we've got a job on."

The Latics boss added: "I didn't think that we did anything really that would be towards how we want to be as an Oldham team. We let ourselves down I think, and I say we because I'm part of it. We didn't perform and we know there's an awful lot of work to be done and I would never stand here and say otherwise.

"I know what a big job we've got on but we keep trying to move forward and we go again on Monday.

"The positives are that we got through, but the bigger picture I've always known and today again showed we've got a lot of work to do here.

"That's really it. We've got a lot of work to do and we go again with that on Monday."

Asked by The Oldham Times what that work might entail - be it reinforcing what has already been done or trying a new approach - Mellon said: "I've got to be careful what I say. I've got work to do, I think everybody knows. I don't think it has to be me standing here and saying what everybody knows. I've got a big job on here and I will keep getting on with it the best way I can because I know the Oldham that I want to see and I will get there.

"Today showed that we've still got work to do.

"Bigger picture stuff I've given my answer to that. I'm not trying to deflect away from it, I've got a big job on here.

"Today was a disappointing performance."