Both managers played down rumours of becoming the new West Ham chief after Oldham edged ten-man Rushden & Diamonds in a Boundary Park thriller.
Diamonds boss Brian Talbot said: "I'm happy were I am, I'm enjoying working for a lovely club. I think I will be here for a little while yet so anything else is just speculation." And Oldham's Iain Dowie added: "Although I would have an obligation to speak to West Ham if they approached me, I'm fully focused on doing the best I can to help this club through difficult times." The game had an early turning point when Diamonds defender Andy Edwards received a straight red card for a foul on John Eyre.
The striker burst clear in the box and once the referee had awarded a penalty he had no option but to send Edwards off.
Oldham's Mickael Antoine-Curier had already missed a glorious chance in the first minute when veteran John Sheridan took responsibility from the spot and beat keeper Billy Turley to his right.
Oldham took control and were unfortunate to see Antoine-Courier have a goal disallowed for offside before Turley tipped over a long-range drive by on-loan Fulham centre-back Mark Hudson.
Rushden had been under the cosh, but managed to equalise before half time after being awarded a free-kick centrally and 30 yards from goal. Onandi Lowe smashed it past Les Pogliacomi and inside the post giving the ten men hope of reward from their trip.
But Oldham were back in front after 75 minutes when David Eyres hit the post from 25 yards and defender Will Haining followed up to convert the rebound from almost on the line.
Rushden's second equaliser came on 82 minutes when Marcus Bignot found space in the box and hit a first-time shot into the corner from near the penalty spot.
Oldham had the final say in injury time as Scott Vernon laid off to fellow sub Matt O'Halloran, who drilled his effort across the keeper from ten yards.