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Jim Gannon made three changes for the eagerly-awaited derby.

Johnny Mullins and Stephen Gleeson dropped to the bench whilst Gareth Owen was left out of the squad completely. James Tunnicliffe, Michael Rose and Tommy Rowe were their replacements.

New goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who arrived on loan from Newcastle on Thursday, was given squad number 21 and a place on the bench.

Oldham kicked off attacking the Railway End and put the County defence under immediate pressure.

In-form Chris Taylor might have scored twice in the first three minutes. Both efforts were from the edge of the box. The first was just wide of Owain Fon Williams right-hand post; the second brought a decent save from the Welsh 'keeper.

The dangerous Taylor then turned provider with a deep cross from the left which picked out Chris O'Grady. The striker tried to head the ball back across Fon Williams but he missed the target.

Twenty minutes in the Blue & White Army at last had something to cheer. Paul Turnbull played his 'Wembley' ball out to Leon McSweeney. The defender hit a cross with the outside of his foot which was just too high for Peter Thompson lurking at the far post.

Latics hit back and James Tunnicliffe did well to block O'Grady's shot at the expense of a corner.

Oldham packed the six-yard box around Fon Williams and, when Andy Liddell's corner came in, the keeper seemed to touch the ball into his own net. Liddell, though, looked to claim the goal as well.

The goal sparked some unsavoury scenes in the Cheadle End. Some visiting fans had purchased tickets for the home end and fighting broke out and the referee stopped the game for a couple of minutes as supporters spilled onto the pitch.

With the Oldham fans removed the game continued and the visitors continued to dominate.

Ten minutes before the break Michael Raynes lost possession and Jimmy McNulty came to his rescue with a timely block to deny Mark Allott.

Craig Davies, who scored a hat-trick when Latics beat County in the Manchester Senior Cup last week, then came close with a low drive.

Three minutes before the break the Hatters won possession from an Oldham corner and Pilkington broke down the right. His pass played in Thompson but the striker's first touch was far too heavy and the ball raced through to mark Crossley.

County had another chance in first-half stoppage time when Thompson crossed to Pilkington. Crossley tipped his header over the bar but the referee awarded a goal kick.

Carl Baker was introduced during the break with Michael Rose making way.

The change produced almost immediate d dividends when County levelled two minutes in. Rowe crossed from the left; Thompson flicked it on to Paul Turnbull who volleyed past Crossley for his first Hatters goal.

County were now passing and moving with purpose after being second best for most of the first half.

But they had a let off when O'Grady mis-timed a header after 57 minutes.

Five minutes later O'Grady fired over when well placed at the edge of the box.

Unbeaten Latics had another chance soon after when Danny Whittaker cleverly created space in the box. He tried to chip Fon Williams but cleared the bar.

County responded with a powerful drive from McSweeney. Crossley spilled the shot but Thompson couldn't apply the finishing touch.

Two minutes later, though, County's Number Nine made it two-in-two with a clinical finish Tunnicliffe's long throw was flicked on by Raynes to the Irishman who volleyed past Crossley.

Edgeley Park erupted with the Cheadle End giving a vociferous rendition of the new Peter Thompson song.

Stephen Gleeson then go in on the act when another flowing County move ended with the Irishman producing an acrobatic overhead kick that was well saved by Crossley.

The Blue & White Army were now cheering every pass and the noise moved off the Richtoscale with a third goal. Raynes got clear of the Latics defence and the new skipper expertly lobbed Crossley and send Edgeley Park into raptures.

It had been a fantastic second-half performance by the Hatters who inflicted the first defeat of the season on their near-neighbours and moved into the top seven in the process.

County's preparations were dealt a blow when Tommy Rowe woke this morning feeling unwell.

That meant a recall for Peter Thompson who started the last three games on the bench. Paul Turnbull was also recalled in place of Dominic Blizzard who had to settle for a place with the substitutes..

Gary Dicker also won his place back in the starting eleven in place of Carl Baker who, despite his wife due to give birth shortly, travelled down this morning to join the squad.

County maintained their unbeaten away form in League One following Michael Raynes' late equaliser. Earlier Peter Thompson scored his first goal for the club to get the Hatters on level terms.

The Hatters settled early on a Whaddon Road pitch in pristine condition, forcing a succession of corners.

However, it was the Robins who should have taken the lead when Charlton loanee Stuart Fleetwood got the better of Johnny Mullins. The former Forest Green and Hereford had a clear path to goal but he could only shoot wide.

County's reposte was almost instant when McSweeney's cross was nodded down by Thompson for Gleeson, who teed up Pilkington 10 yards out. The winger dragged his effort disappointingly wide.

On the half hour mark the home side took the lead against the run of play. Russell's long ball up the middle was superbly controlled by Fleetwood as he outmuscled Mullins. This time he made no mistake as he slotted home past the advancing Fon Williams.

The Hatters were almost immediately on the attack again, but the ball would not fall for Gleeson or Raynes and was eventually cleared. Raynes came off the worst in a clash of heads with burly Frenchman Drissa Diallo, and County were temporarily down to 10 men as Raynes went off for attention to an open wound and a change of shirt. Jim Gannon's men managed to hold out for the interval.

There were no changes in personnel during the interval, but Raynes partnered Gaz Owen at centre half with McSweeney advancing to right wing. Mullins covered at right back.

County started the half brightly once again, and had the first opportunity when Pilkington's floated cross found Thompson. However the Northern Irishman had to generate all the power himself on his header and subsequently his effort was comfortably saved by Brown.

With the Hatters camped in the Robins' half, the pressure eventually paid off. Brilliant wing play from Pilkington saw him leave Gallinagh bamboozled and his cross was met by Thompson. His relief was clear to see as he celebrated in front of the 575 travelling County fans.

Martin Allen sensed the match slipping away from his side and responded with two substitutes. Gill replaced Montrose and Vincent came on for Connor.

With County well on top, the home side were let back into the game by a simple defensive error. Gaz Owen let a long ball bounce and Fleetwood pounced upon the skipper's error. Fon Williams had no choice but to come out and dived at Fleetwood's feet, unfortunately missing the ball and catching the striker. The referee pointed to the spot after consulting with his assistant.

Scott Murray, on loan from neighbours Bristol City, saw his penalty saved by Fon Williams, and then his header from the rebound crashed against the bar. The second rebound fell kindly for Josh Payne who restored the Robins' lead.

Despite falling behind again, and with the home side looking to take the pace out of the game, the Hatters began to put the Robins under pressure once again. Rose came on for Owen and Vincent replaced McSweeney.

Just when the game looked to be up for County, Raynes popped up with his first goal since April 2006 to give the Hatters a deserved point. He headed home from 6 yards after McNulty's cross was flicked on by a Cheltenham head, to send the Blue & White Army into a frenzy behind the goal.

Pilkington hit the crossbar in the dying seconds but the Hatters had to be content with a third successive league draw.