OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, BURY 0.
It was a derby either side could have won have won as Oldham Athletic and Bury fought out a compelling goalless draw at SportsDirect.com Park.
And it was a useful point for both sides in their battles against relegation from Sky Bet League One.
Latics’ manager John Sheridan had no complaints saying it was a fair result on the balance of play.
Sheridan conceded Bury were the better side in the opening half, but his side had the edge on the second as both sides sit just about the bottom out.
The two best chances came in the last half hour as Aaron Amadi-Holloway had an effort cleared off the line for Latics while Bury’s George Miller forced a super save from Connor Ripley at the death.
Ripley’s save ensured he kept a 15th clean sheet of the campaign as there has been no defensive ills – it has been at the oppose end of the pitch where Latics have struggled.
Sheridan made three changes to his side which were beaten by Walsall last week. In came Jamie Reckord, Chris Taylor and Ollie Banks in place of the suspended pair Brian Wilson and Lee Croft and the injured Rob Hunt.
Bury had the first chance of the game on 10 minutes as Taylor Moore volleyed into the side netting following a cross by Greg Leigh.
Ryan Lowe felt he should have been awarded a penalty kick minutes later as he went over in the penalty area, but the referee adjudged the striker to have dived and award Latics the free kick.
It was a competitive opening with tackles flying in from both sides, but little in terms of chances, though Lowe almost found a way behind the defence midway through the half but Anthony Gerrard recovered to block his shot.
The defender had a chance for Latics seconds later at the other end but his header was saved.
Bury broke from that attack and midfielder Paul Caddis saw his shot from 25 yards deflected over the crossbar for a corner.
From the resulting corner, former Latics loanee Cameron Burgess attacked the ball but his back heel was saved on the goal line by Ripley.
Latics had a good chance on the half hour mark as the ball fell invitingly for Tope Obadeyi but the striker dragged his shot wide of the goal from 25 yards.
Bury continued to dominate and five minutes before the break, Gerrard threw his body on the line to block a Bury shot as it remained goalless at the break.
It was a much better start to the second half for Latics who had two chances in the opening three minutes.
After a corner into the box, former Latics’ loanee Cameron Burgess looked to clear the ball but smashed it against Ollie Banks but fortunately for the defender the ball went wide.
Minutes later, a short corner was played to Tope Obadeyi who cut inside and struck from the edge of the box but it deflected wide of the far post.
Bury remained a threat on the break and Lowe found himself one on one with a defender, but his cheeky effort towards the back post went wide.
Shortly after the hour mark came a great chance for Latics, and it was great work from Aiden O’Neill. The midfielder hooked the ball into the box, he found the head of Amadi-Holloway, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Latics had a let off seconds later as Bury broke up field and were presented with a two on one situation.
James Vaughan broke, attempted to pick out Lowe but Ryan McLaughlin was there to intercept the ball and clear the danger.
Paul Caddis was the next to go close for Bury as he smashed the ball across the face of goal, but it went wide of Ripley’s far post.
With 15 minutes remaining, Latics were presented with an opportunity on goal as O’Neill was fouled on the edge of the box. Obadeyi stepped up, struck the wall, but at the second attempt fired over the crossbar.
With the game heading for stalemate, Bury substitute Miller was presented with a golden opportunity to win the game for the Shakers.
Vaughan made an interception and pulled the ball back to Miller, but the striker saw his opportunity saved by the legs of Ripley as the game finished goalless.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley; McLaughlin, Gerrard, Clarke, Reckord; Green, Banks, O’Neill (Flynn 80), Taylor; Obadeyi, Holloway. Subs (not used): Kettings, Law, Edmundson, Fane, Osei, Erwin.
Attendance: 5,776 (1,388 visitors)