OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, PORT VALE 0
(Port Vale won 4-2 on penalties)
Oldham Athletic lost in a penalty shootout to Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy, but still picked up a point from their group D clash at SportsDirect.com Park.
It was a dour goalless draw in which neither goalkeeper had a serious shot to save.
And the only cheer for the 1,429 fans was that the tie didn’t go to extra time.
But there was heartbreak for Latics as Mason Fawns and Ollie Banks missed their spot kicks as the League Two strugglers picked up two points. Their side included former Latics’ players Cristiano Montano and David Worrall.
Latics were decimated through injury with nine players ruled out while Ryan McLaughlin and Cameron Dummigan were on international duty.
Manager John Sheridan, who could only field three substitutes at Blackpool, had four scholars on the bench to make up the numbers and handed a debut to midfielder Jack Byrne who signed on loan from Wigan Athletic.
Vale had the first goal attempt as Rekeil Pyke received space in the penalty box but Brian Wilson blocked his effort.
Pyke had another chance five minutes later, but he fired wide of Ben Wilson’s post.
Latics played some neat football but were struggling to create any sort of clear-cut chance.
Midway through the half, Pyke fed Dan Turner but the striker’s shot went over the crossbar.
The best chance of the half came after 37 minutes as Aaron Amadi-Holloway curled a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Latics started the second half brightly and should have gone ahead through Fawns.
Byrne found the youngster in space on the right, he cut inside and shot but it went wide of Ryan Boot’s goal.
Vale almost took the lead on the hour as the ball was laid back to Cristian Montano in the penalty box, but he fired over from close range.
Both sides struggled to test either goalkeeper as David Worrell saw a tame effort trickle wide of the far post.
Dan Gardner did force Boot into a save after 70 minutes as his 25-yard effort bounced in front of the goalkeeper before he gathered comfortably.
Byrne fired over the crossbar from 25 yards not long after before he almost gave Latics the lead after 80 minutes when he shot over from the edge of the box.
The result was settled through a penalty shootout using the new ABBA format.
The visitors dispatched all of their penalties, while Banks and Fawns missed for Latics as their troubled start to the season continued.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ben Wilson; Brian Wilson, Gerrard, Clarke, Hunt; Banks, Gardner, Fawns; Byrne, Holloway, Osei (Mantack 65). Subs (not used): Boyling, Edmundson, Fane, Sheridan, Hamer, Antoine.
Attendance: 1,429