OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, SHEFF UTD 1
Oldham Athletic proved they can cut it with the best as they held Sky Bet League One leaders Sheffield United to a draw at SportsDirect.com Park.
And it was another valuable point in their battle to stave off the threat of relegation as it extended the unbeaten run to four matches.
Tope Obadeyi fired Latics ahead into a first-half lead, but the Blades equalised early in the second half through Jay O’Shea.
Latics were forced to make changes with Ryan McLaughlin and Aiden O’Neill on international duty with Aaron Amadi-Holloway injured.
Manager John Sheridan lined up his side in a 3-5-2 formation and they started the brighter side.
Tope Obadeyi and Lee Erwin had sniffs at goal without seriously threatening to score.
Latics had a great chance when Josh Law headed narrowly over from a Lee Erwin cross and Paul Green then had a goalbound shot blocked.
They made the breakthrough two minutes before the break when Ousmane Fane, Green and Law combined superbly to set up Obadeyi who scored from close range.
It was nothing more than Latics deserved and they went into the break ahead.
However, they were dealt a blow at half time as Wilson was forced off with an Achilles injury and he was replaced by George Edmundson.
Five minutes into the second half and the Blades were level. O’Shea created space for himself on the edge of the box and he volleyed into the bottom corner to level the scores.
Latics’ heads did not drop and they continued to create chances in the second half.
Obadeyi set up Fane on the edge of the box but he fired wide while Clarke could not convert following Anthony Gerrard’s cross into the box.
Just after the hour, Erwin struck first time from the edge of the box but it hit the side netting as Latics attempted to regain the lead.
Latics continued to put the pressure on with a succession of corners, but did not trouble Sheffield stopper Moore.
The Blades applied late pressure as James Hanson headed wide from a cross into the box from Jack O’Connell.
Billy Sharp, who was kept quiet for most of the afternoon, struck over with only five minutes of the game remaining after he created space for himself.
Two minutes later and the striker was denied from close range by keeper Connor Ripley while the follow-up shot was blocked by Anthony Gerrard.
Ripley denied Sharp in stoppage time from a close-range header as Latics held onto a valuable point against the league leaders.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Ripley, Wilson (Edmundson 46), Clarke, Gerrard; Law, Banks, Green, Fane (Flynn 89), Taylor; Obadeyi, Erwin (Ngoo 86). Subs (not used): Kettings, Croft, Mantack, Osei.
Goals: Obadeyi (44) for Latics. O’Shea (50) for 1-1 Sheffield United (O‚ÄôShea 50‚Äô)
Attendance: 8,448 (4,210 visitors)