The Shrimps have developed a winning habit in shoot-outs beating Port Vale and Hartlepool and spot-kicks last year.

And now the League One high-flyers can be added to the list after Tuesday's thrilling match when Andy Parrish slotted home the winning kick.

David Artell, Diarmuid O'Carroll, Paul Lloyd, Garry Hunter and Parrish all found the net with Stewart Drummond and Neil Wainwright off target in the 5-4 win.

McIlroy said: "When it goes to penalties I am quite confident. The players who put them away last year did it again right up until we missed a couple.

"I was surprised we missed them because in training we usually put them in the net but we came through in the end."

The draw for the next round will take place in Saturday's Soccer AM programme.

After five games without a win, McIlroy was impressed with the effort his players put in at Boundary Park, weathering heavy Oldham pressure to finish the game the stronger side.

He said: "Everyone played their part tonight. It was a great fighting performance, especially in the second half when I thought we were excellent.

"Once Oldham scored, you begin to think 'here we go' and maybe heads are going to drop but that wasn't the case. We kept going, kept passing the ball, and battled back and scored a fantastic goal.

"We have been trying to say when in those areas don't be too hasty in putting ball into the box, keep it pass it and there may be a better opening and that just proved it.

"We kept it around Oldham's penalty area and got a great ball in and Stewart Drummond arrived perfectly to put it into the net for a fantastic goal."

Michael Howard went off in the first half with a trapped nerve in his back. It is a blow for the left-back having only just returned from a hamstring injury.

Wayne Curtis had to have several stitches in a hard wound after an accidental aerial clash. He was substituted and will be assessed this week ahead of Saturday's game with Shrewsbury.