WIGAN ATH 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic picked up a valuable away point at promotion-chasing Wigan Athletic, but remain cut adrift in the relegation places in Sky Bet League One.
But it was a performance that suggested Latics might yet pull off the great escape under new manager John Sheridan.
Latics are certainly considerably tighter defensively since Sheridan took charge conceding only three goals in four games.
But on the debit side, they have managed to score only two goals and they have failed to find the net in three of the four games.
And also worrying are the injury problems with Anthony Gerrard the latest casualty as he limped off in the opening half at the DW Stadium.
Latics were already without Mike Jones and Dominic Poleon which forced Sheridan to rejig his side with right-back Cameron Dummigan pushed forward to right midfield with James Wilson playing right back.
Rhys Murphy was recalled to the front line in place of Poloen with Jonathan Forte again preferred to summer signing Jake Cassidy.
Gerrard’s injury also handed a debut to new loan-signing Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Latics made a bright start with Wilson’s cross causing mayhem as Craig Morgan almost headed into his own goal.
Wigan were restricted to counter attacking, but Conor McAleny weaved his way clear only to shoot wide.
Gerrard was booked after 16 minutes for a foul on McAleny, but came off worse nursing a knee injury that would force him off before half time.
Latics forced a series of corners and, from one of them, the ball was cleared to Carl Winchester whose piledriver from 30 yards was turned over the crossbar by veteran keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Sheridan’s side was seeing plenty of the ball but struggling to create chances.
Gerrard limped off five minutes before half time to be replaced by Holloway who was making his debut.
The loss of Gerrard didn’t disrupt Latics who finished the half strongly as Forte forced a decent save from Jaaskelainen who also did well to turn away a drive from Liam Kelly.
Wigan made their first change at the break as Sam Morsy was replaced by Donovan Daniels.
After a lively opening half, the second half started at a pedestrian pace, though Latics’ keeper Joel Coleman had to save well to deny Yanic Wildschut.
Lee Croft replaced Murphy with 18 minutes left and not long after came Latics’ best chance of the half when Holloway and Kelly set up Matt Palmer who shot flew inches wide of the upright.
As the game was drawing to a close, it suddenly came alive again with chances at both ends.
Latics could have broken the deadlock when Daniel Lafferty’s free kick was turned over the bar by the alert Jaaskelainen.
Wigan could also have collected all three points as Wildschut was denied by the legs of Coleman who also saved well from Will Grigg.
Winchester then had a goalbound shot blocked with three minutes left and in stoppage time had another opening, but the ball got stuck under his feet as the game was destined to finish goalless.