FLEETWOOD TOWN 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Another point was gained in the battle against relegation from Sky Bet League One as Oldham Athletic drew at Highbury against fellow strugglers Fleetwood Town.
Liam Kelly came up with the all-important equaliser for Oldham who were incensed they did not leave the Fylde coast with three points.
Manager John Sheridan was convinced Oldham ought to have been awarded a “stonewall” penalty, one of two spot kicks they claimed, while Curtis Main also had a goal chalked out for offside, another big call.
But it was a result that keeps Oldham ahead of Fleetwood in the scrap for survival at the foot of the table.
Sheridan was forced into changes after Tuesday’s defeat at Barnsley where they picked up four injuries.
James and Brian Wilson were declared fit to resume their places in defence, but midfield pair Mike Jones and Carl Winchester were ruled out.
Lee Croft was given a rare start – his first since October – and Jonathan Forte was also recalled to the starting line up in a 4-2-3-1 system.
There was a nervy start from both sides, understandable in view of the importance of the game to both sides.
Fleetwood threatened first when striker Wes Burns broke clear, but was denied by keeper Joel Coleman who made the first of a number of important first-half saves.
Coleman was called into action again with further decent stop to thwart Antoni Sarcevic and Burns to ensure it remained goalless.
It took Oldham almost half an hour before mustering their first chance when loanee Curtis Main cut the ball back to Croft whose goalbound shot was blocked.
Stephen Jordan had another chance for Fleetwood but Oldham thought they ought to have won a spot kick five minutes before half time when Croft sent Forte clear and he appeared to be brought down by last-man Conor McLaughlin, but referee Graham Salisbury waved play on.
Fleetwood then almost snatched the lead which would have made the sense of injustice even stronger, but Coleman did well to push a drive from Antoni Sarcevic wide of the post for a corner.
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis saw a drive from 25 yards whistle past the upright early in the second half when Oldham lost James Wilson who picked up a knock.
Nathan Pond headed wide after Fleetwood forced a succession of corners.
Oldham eventually grew into the game as Cameron Dummigan set up Forte who headed wide while Kelly deflected a Main shot not far wide of the goal.
And it was slightly against the run of play that Fleetwood took the lead midway through the half when Oldham failed to cut out a cross by Burns into the box and Scott Scougall slipped the ball past Coleman.
Oldham responded positively and Main had a goal ruled out while they also felt they ought to have been awarded a second penalty. This time they claimed a Connor Brown cross was handled in the box.
The equaliser finally came with 13 minutes left when a scuffed volley from Kelly found the net to the delight of the 1,400 visiting fans.
Oldham pushed for a winner, but had to be wary of the counter attack as winger Bobby Grant saw a overhead kick fly wide as they had to settle for a point.