After beating Bradford City in the first round of the competition Stanley's form has been anything but impressive and in recent weeks the Reds have dropped down the league and failed to qualify for the FA Cup first round proper after defeat at the hands of Leigh RMI so this game against Oldham, for which Chris Butler returned to the starting line-up, was a welcome break for John Coleman's men.
It was Stanley who had the first real chance when Ian Craney used his skill to create some space in front of him and his shot went sailing just past the post.
Lee McEvilly, once again impressive in his return to the squad after suspension, hit a shot just wide on the 15 minute mark but the early signs were promising for the Reds.
The best opportunity of the game so far came when Paul Mullin superbly chipped goalkeeper Les Poliacomi but an onrushing defender somehow managed to clear the ball off the line.
Matty Appleby opened the scoring for Oldham though from the penalty spot on 24 minutes.
There was a farce minutes later which resulted in Chris Butler seeing yellow and Oldham man Kevin Betsey was shown his marching order after the Latics' manager was knocked to the floor.
Poliacomi fumbled an Accrington Stanley corner and Lee McEvilly was on hand to smash home the equaliser, which was certainly deserved.
The second half whistle went and just two minutes in John Coleman's reds were in the lead. Lee McEvilly beat two players in a surging run down the left wing before pulling the ball back for the impressive Ian Craney, whose low shot from the edge of the area beat the goalkeeper and put Stanley deservedly ahead.
Ikeme made a good save minutes later from a Jermaine Johnson long-range shot but it was Stanley who once again threatened next. Lee McEvilly would have been through on goal if it wasn't for a good defensive block and he was once again close to getting Stanley's third when he was just millimetres away from meeting Ged Brannan's cross.
Adam Griffin got the equaliser for Oldham with his first touch of the game after replacing Kelvin Lomax. There was some good build-up play from the home team and it was finished with a good cross and a great header to to put the home side level.