Former Manchester City man Lee Peacock scored twice on his return to Greater Manchester to seal a point for Town at Boundary Park.
Peacock hit his fourth and fifth goals of the season against The Latics to send Town back to Wiltshire with a share of the spoils.
Town went into the break with the lead but were soon behind in the second half after goals from David Livermore and Mark Allott. However, a towering header from Peacock just before the hour secured a point.
Maurice Malpas made three changes for the game with midfielder Chris Allen starting his first game since coming off the bench to replace Kaid Mohamed at Yeovil Town on Boxing Day. His start at Oldham was only his third in a Swindon shirt after previous inclusions against Southend United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Winger Christian Roberts also came in to replace Anthony McNamee whilst Patrick Kanyuka was handed a rare start in place of Jerel Ifil, who was named amongst the substitutes.
Oldham included new recruit from Sheffield United, Jordan Robertson, amongst their replacements with former Nottingham Forest stopper Mark Crossley lining up in between the sticks for The Latics.
Swindon kicked off defending the end housing the Town contigent and visiting keeper Phil Smith was forced into action early on to claim from Oldham striker Deane Smalley on the edge of his box.
Town then went straight on the attack and had two chances to open the scoring inside a minute. After Billy Paynter's curling effort from the edge of the box was deflected away for a corner, centreback Patrick Kanyuka headed wide from the resulting centre.
Chris Allen started the game just in front of the back four and showed confidence early on with accurate distribution from the heart of midfield.
Another early opening came Swindon's way with eight minutes played. A tremendous inside ball from Billy Paynter found strike-partner Cox who settled himself before seeing a right foot chip fall just over the crossbar.
For the home side Chris Taylor came close to connecting with a right wing cross on ten minutes from six yards with The Latics looking to make home advantage count early on.
Swindon had to wait until 18 minutes for the next opening. A reverse ball from Lee Peacock found Craig Easton on the edge of the box who saw his right foot effort drift wide of the left hand post. The Scottish midfielder, celebrating his 29th birthday, then saw another effort from outside the box fly wide.
Phil Smith was forced into a double save on 25 minutes. Lewis Alessandra was first denied from close range with the Town stopper saving with his legs, before Smith was in the right place at the right time to claim the second effort.
Swindon made the desired start on 29 minutes with Lee Peacock finding the back of the net. A corner from the left was not dealt with by Crossley who then saved well from Peacock before the midfielder followed up to lash home the rebound. Peacock followed the goal with an Any Given Sunday 'bomb' celebration, throwing the ball into the air to disperse the gathered Town players.
Not content with one, Town were soon on the attack again with Cox and Paynter combining well with the Robins number twenty seeing a left foot effort superbly held by Crossley from just inside the area.
The home side had been able to muster very little in the way of attacking play despite their three-pronged attack, with Gary McDonald's wayward effort failing to trouble Smith on 38 minutes. Smalley then headed wide before the break
Swindon had further chances to extend their lead with a promising run from Lee Peacock eventually seeing Roberts and Easton try their luck but Oldham held on before the half-time whistle blew.
H/T: Oldham Athletic 0 Swindon Town 1
The home side made one change at the break with Kelvin Lomax coming on in place of Stefan Stam at the back. Swindon emerged unchanged, eager to build on a promising first half display.
Oldham drew level with 50 minutes on the clock. After Miguel Comminges had conceded a corner from a McDonald cross, Oldham struck. The resulting corner was only punched away by Smith to the feet of David Livermore who steadied himself before firing low into the corner of the net from 16 yards out.
In response to the goal, Chris Allen saw his 20 yard effort well held by Mark Crossley before a frantic few minutes of action.
Unfortunately for Swindon the home side soon crept ahead on 55 minutes. A low drive from Mark Allott from the edge of the box was not held by Phil Smith, who parried the shot, but the ball spun free and into the net t hand John Sheridan's side the lead for the first time in the game.
Swindon bounced straight back with Lee Peacock scoring his second of the game on 58 minutes. A third successive corner from Christian Roberts found Town's number four who climbed highest to power the ball into the net from six yards out to make it five goals for the season for the former Manchester City man.
Midfielder Chris Allen almost put Swindon back into the driving seat with a 65th minute free-kick which fizzed narrowly wide and had the Latics keeper scrambling to get across.
The home side handed new loan recruit from Sheffield United, Jordan Robertson his debut from the bench, replacing Jason Jarrett on 73 minutes. Miguel Comminges was then booked before Deane Smalley headed straight at a grateful Phil Smith.
Goalscorer Lee Peacock was replaced through injury on 75 minutes with Frenchman Sofiene Zaaboub introduced into the action. Peacock had picked up an ankle knock in the first half but was forced to withdraw in the closing stages of the game.
Town made their second switch of the evening on 80 minutes with Blair Sturrock coming on to replace Simon Cox in the front line.
Midfielder Gary McDonald saw a thunderous effort fly inches wide on 81 minutes with both sides, level on points in League One going into the game, looking for the winner.
After three minutes of injury-time Swindon ended the game with a point with The Robins now looking forward to Saturday's home clash with Leeds United.
F/T: Oldham Athletic 2 Swindon Town 2
Goals: Peacock '29, '58
Attendance: 3,933 (152 from Swindon)
Referee: Mr C W Oliver
