SWINDON TOWN 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic certainly rode their luck to pick up a point from their bottom-of-the-table clash at Swindon Town.
Had it been a boxing match, it would probably have been stopped as Latics had to withstand a pounding, especially in the opening period.
Swindon had 16 goals attempts in the opening period and 26 overall to Latics’ eight, but they could not find a route to goal.
Yet Latics might have snatched victory at the end of the first half when Aiden O’Neill volleyed narrowly wide.
But with Swindon in the relegation places and Latics just outside, it was important Latics did not lose as they kept a 13th clean sheet of the season.
And despite not playing well, they are certainly hard to beat and able to grind out results under new manager John Sheridan.
Sheridan made three changes from the midweek win against Charlton, though Anthony Gerrard’s absence was enforced by suspension.
Paul Green and Lee Erwin missed out with Josh Law, Ousmane Fane and the fit-again Aaron Amadi-Holloway returning to the starting line up.
And Amadi-Holloway had the first chance of the match in the third minute when his shot was blocked by Nathan Thompson.
Swindon began their bombardment not long after as striker Nicky Ajose had two shots in quick succession, both saved by Connor Ripley.
Jonathan Obika and Ben Gladwin both tested Ripley as the goalkeeper was busy in the first half.
However, Latics had the chance to take the lead after 17 minutes as Ollie Banks’ driven corner found the head of Peter Clarke but his goal attempt went wide of the post.
Gladwin shot wide midway through the half and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill struck over the crossbar from just outside the box.
While Swindon were having plenty of efforts on goal, Latics never really looked in danger of conceding.
Ripley had to deny Ormonde-Ottewill again on the half hour mark and Obika not long after as the hosts looked to turn their superiority into goals.
Clarke appealed for a penalty after 35 minutes after the defender looked to be bundled over in the penalty box but the referee waved away his protests.
Swindon continued to dominate possession but it would be Latics who had the best opportunity to score before half time.
Deep into two additional minutes, Ryan McLaughlin’s cross found O’Neill in the centre but his shot from 10 yards went wide of Lawrence Vigouroux’s post.
Latics started the second half much the better with Holloway a threat to the home defence.
Clarke headed an Ollie Banks corner into the arms of Vigouroux on the hour mark before Ajose volleyed over from close range after a good move from the home side.
Latics almost took the lead after 67 minutes when McLaughlin won the ball on the left, and with little ahead of him, raced forward and shot into the side netting.
With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Banks had a free kick 25 yards from goal, he found Clarke in the centre but he headed over the crossbar.
Sheridan made changes towards the end as Lee Croft and Michael Ngoo were introduced.
Swindon finished the game strongly and Clarke almost inadvertently scored an own goal but Ripley managed to catch the ball in time while Gladwin blazed over from close range.
Latics threw bodies on the line in the final minute of the game as Clarke managed to clear the ball off the line from Ottewill to ensure the game finished goalless.
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): Ripley; Law, Wilson, Clarke, Hunt; Banks, Fane; McLaughlin (Croft 81), O’Neill, Taylor; Holloway (Ngoo 82). Subs (not used): Kettings, Flynn, Erwin, Green, Obadeyi.
Attendance: 6,773