The 2002-03 campaign delivered a thrilling play-off push for Oldham Athletic, with The Latics surging to a strong 5th-place finish in the Second Division under manager Iain Dowie. Spearheading the attack was veteran winger David Eyres, whose 16 goals across all competitions proved vital in a season built on attacking flair and defensive solidity, conceding a league-low 38 goals. Despite a promising League Cup run to the Fourth Round, the season ended in agony with a narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat to Queens Park Rangers in the play-off semi-finals, denying The Latics promotion to the First Division. It remains a chapter defined by their near-miss on a return to the second tier.