York City Knights ruined Oldham's debut at the Whitebank Stadium and ended their unbeaten record with a 34-28 win.
With the score 28-28 going into stoppage time, Dennis Tuffour scored a late try for the Knights.
Knights coach James Ratcliffe told BBC Radio York: "I'm relieved. We've still come up with some errors.
"There are people who've gone back on with injuries. What we've done differently today is we've shown some character and desire defensively."
Ratcliffe added: "At half-time we mentioned, let's go out and attack them, let's make sure we come up the park and get to a kick finish.
"Our (tackle) completion has been quite high. We've got three turned ankles, it's a terrible ground to play on, absolutely bone-hard.
"The injured players have said, yes, I'll go back out there strapped up, and that's the kind of culture we're trying to breed."
Ratcliffe highlighted the effort of the forwards, which he felt was crucial to the victory.
"Jordan Ross has come up with 75 minutes, when he should have come off on 60. Jon Fallon put in two big sessions, Brett Waller too, against a big and very physical Oldham side.
"The runners will sell you season tickets but the tacklers will win you the games. It's been a full team effort."
The Knights face Hunslet, and their former coach Paul March, next Sunday.
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