OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, SHEFFIELD UNITED 1
Oldham Athletic held Sky Bet League One high-flyers Sheffield United, even though they played the last half hour with 10 men.
Jonathan Burn’s sending off changed the dynamics of the game as Latics, who more than matched the Blades in the opening 60 minutes.
Danny Philliskirk had given Latics an early lead only to be pegged back by Matt Done as new manager David Dunn still looks for his first victory.
Five of his six games in charge have ended in stalemate while the other was a disappointing home defeat by Scunthorpe United.
But these are worrying times for Latics who are back in the relegation places after recording only one win in 15 league and cup games this season.
Indeed, the dismal sequence is one win in 23 games stretching back to the end of march.
Dunn, who later praised the battling qualities his side displayed, brought Cameron Dummigan and Jay Fulton back after the pair had been away on international duty and handed a first starting spot to Carl Winchester since the 5-1 home defeat to Peterborough that cost Darren Kelly his job as manager.
The players to lose out were Timothee Dieng, Lee Croft and Michael Higdon who was ineligible to play against his parent club.
There was something to cheer before kick off with the belated opening of the new North Stand to the 1,000 season-ticket holders for what was termed a test event.
Latics made a bright start with Dominic Poleon and Winchester having early chances before they took the lead after 10 minutes when Mike Jones’ corner was flicked on at the near post and Philliskirk, lurking at the back stick, headed past keeper Mark Howard from close range.
And Winchester had a chance to put Latics 2-0 ahead before Done equalised with a terrific goal as he curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner leaving keeper David Cornell flapping at thin air.
Billy Sharp struck the post, but had been flagged for offside.
Latics almost regained the lead five minutes before the break when Dominic Poleon’s header was brilliantly kept out by Howard who also denied the same player on the stroke of half time with another decent stop.
Cornell made a great point-blank save to keep out an effort from Neil Collins who was barely two yards from goal.
The Blades ought to have gone ahead after 57 minutes when Done was clean through on goal only to roll his shot wide.
The game tilted the way of the visitors after an hour when Burn was sent off for persistent fouling, his second yellow collected for an offence against striker Che Adams.
Latics sent on Dieng for Jones to provide for extra defensive cover while new signing Ricardo Fuller was handed his debut midway through the second period.
The Blades were in the ascendancy as they scented victory as Billy Sharp shot just wide and Scott Scougall struck the upright as Latics were holding on.
Latics, in fairness, defended resolutely to restrict the Blades to few chances as they deserved a draw for their efforts.