BURTON ALBION 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0.
Oldham Athletic picked up an important point in their battle against relegation from Sky Bet League One following a goalless draw at league leaders Burton Albtion.
And though Latics remain in the bottom four, they are only one behind Blackpool who are in a position of safety.
It also sets up Latics nicely for Monday’s massively important home game against fellow strugglers Chesterfield.
It was a game in which Latics dominated possession, but it was the Brewers who carved out the best chaces, Tom Flanagan heading against the crossbar in the opening half.
Manager John Sheridan was forced into a change as Anthony Gerrard missed the game with illness as the fit-again Brian Wilson partnered James Wilson in central defence as Tim Dieng moved into midfield.
Latics that dominated the first half and they went close after two minutes when Curtis Main’s cross dipped just over the crossbar.
The league leaders were lucky to have 11 men on the field after Aaron Amadi-Holloway was brought down by Flanagan on the edge of the box as he suspiciously looked like the last man, but the referee only booked the central defender.
Brewers’ striker Stuart Beavon was proving to be a threat in attack.
Burton should have taken the lead just after the midway point of the first half but a superb block from Brian Wilson denied Lucas Akins.
That was their best effort of the half but minutes later, it would be Latics that went close through Tareiq Holmes-Dennis.
The Charlton loanee received the ball on the edge of the box from a corner but his shot, which was destined for the bottom corner, was blocked on route to goal.
Burton came close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes before the break when Mark Duffy’s corner found the head of Flanagan at the back post and his powerful header hit the bar.
Flanagan headed over from a Duffy corner early in the second half, but it would be Latics who took control of the game.
Curtis Main almost got on the end of a Tareiq Holmes-Dennis cross on the hour mark but the goalkeeper did well to deny him.
Joel Coleman had to be alive two minutes later as Duffy curled a free kick towards the top corner but he excellently tipped the ball wide.
Both sides made changes as Jake Cassidy came on for Latics, replacing Holloway.
Deep into injury time, James Wilson excellently cleared the ball as Calum Butcher was ready to score a last-gasp winner for the hosts.