OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, ROCHDALE 1
Oldham Athletic achieved what appeared Mission Impossible – Sky Bet League One survival – three-and-a-half-months ago when John Sheridan became manager.
The draw in the final home game of the season against Rochdale guaranteed Latics will be staying in the same division for a 21st successive season.
And it ensured there will be no last-day drama as there has been in the past for Latics.
What a contrast to early January when Sheridan replaced Stephen Robinson with Latics cut adrift in the bottom four.
In a keenly-contest derby against their nearest rivals, Callum Camps gave Dale an early lead while Latics’ captain Peter Clarke equalised midway through the second period.
Manager John Sheridan made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 at Bristol Rovers on Monday.
Ousmane Fane and Paul Green returned in midfield, where they replaced Aiden O’Neill and Ryan Flynn, and Aaron Amadi-Holloway was back after injury up front where he was preferred to Tope Obedayi.
The visitors started the brighter and had a couple of half chances without threatening to score.
Latics struggled as Calvin Andrew headed over after six minutes and not long after Ian Henderson’s effort was blocked by Brian Wilson.
Rochdale took the lead after 13 minutes through Camps. The midfielder met a cross from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and fired past Connor Ripley.
Latics responded well to going a goal behind and started to create chances.
The best chance in a sustained period of pressure came from Ousmane Fane but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Conrad Logan.
Midway through the half, Rochdale full back Joe Rafferty volleyed wide from the edge of the box.
Latics had their best chance on the half hour as Fane found himself the furthest man forward and in acres of space but elected to pass 18 yards out rather than take a shot.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the possession in the closing stages of the first half with Henderson going close on two occasions as he fired over and then forced a save from Ripley.
Latics had the final chance of the first half in additional time but Green’s effort was saved by Logan.
Dale had a chance to double the lead soon after the restart when Joe Rafferty’s cross found the head of Henderson but Ripley made the save.
Sheridan brought on Obadeyi after 53 minutes and he made an immediate impact as he added energy to the game which Latics had been lacking.
Just before the hour mark, Fane connected with Ollie Banks’ corner into the box but he headed wide.
Latics equalised midway through the half when captain Clarke headed home a free kick from Jamie Stott.
Latics had the momentum, though they failed to carve out any clear-cut chance.
And Latics had some defending to do in the final 10 minutes of the game with Mendez-Laing a threat as he fired narrowly wide with five minutes left.
Amadi-Holloway had the final shot of the game but it was easily saved by Logan as the game ended in stalemate.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley: Stott, Wilson, Clarke, McLaughlin; Green, Banks (O’Neill 84), Fane, Taylor (Law 64); Holloway, Erwin (Obadeyi 53). Subs (not used): Kettings, Flynn, Croft, Edmundson.
Goals: Clarke (67) for Oldham. Camps (13) for Rochdale.
Attendance: 6,865 (1,455 visitors)