Hull boss Steve Bruce was a relieved man after watching his side claim a narrow win over Middlesbrough which kept them in the Championship automatic promotion places.
Robbie Brady curled in a low free-kick that caught out Boro keeper Jason Steele in the 62nd minute to give the Tigers all three points at the KC Stadium.
And Bruce admitted afterwards that the defeat to third-placed Watford on Tuesday had affected his team during the first half of Saturday's game.
"Tuesday was a huge disappointment to us all and I'm going to admit (on) Thursday and Friday they were still disappointed," said Bruce.
"It really took us to half-time to get going again, but we showed something, a bit of resilience and that determination to get a result. We don't want to be sitting through too many of them."
On match-winner Brady's fortunate strike, Bruce joked: "I've heard some nonsense that he watched somebody do it, whether it was (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (Gareth) Bale, and bounced it in front of the keeper. Looks to me like it hit a divot and the goalkeeper made a mess of it.
"But we needed a break and thankfully we've got it. It's put us in a really, really strong position, a good position and it's in our hands with five to play."
Victory moved the Cumbrians above the 50-point barrier, but the Latics remain in deep trouble after their first defeat under new manager Lee Johnson.
Carlisle broke through after nine minutes when Oldham lost the ball cheaply in midfield and Liam Noble advanced before slamming home a shot from 20 yards.
The away side were in total control and made it 2-0 after 33 minutes as Noble's throughball found overlapping full-back Jordan Mustoe, who superbly lobbed goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis from the edge of the box.
Oldham posed their first threat shortly before half-time, Jose Baxter's powerful shot forcing a save from Mark Gillespie.
A treble substitution brought the Latics to life, but Matt Smith's header was hacked off the line by Peter Murphy.
Oldham grabbed a 73rd-minute lifeline as Mustoe tripped Korey Smith inside the box and Baxter sent Gillespie the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Baxter, Matt Smith and Bobby Reid all had good chances to equalise, but Gillespie was in inspired form and Carlisle held on.
