MILTON KEYNES DONS 4, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 4
What under normal circumstances would have been a great away point for Oldham Athletic at Milton Keynes Dons ended up feeling like a loss.
Latics were 4-2 ahead with eight minutes left, but were unable to game manage the closing stages, allowing the hosts to snatch an unlikely draw in a game bossed by the visitors.
It was especially disappointing to score four goals on the road and not win, though Richie Wellens extended his unbeaten run to six games since taking charge.
Latics were 3-1 ahead and coasting at half time through goals from Craig Davies, Eoin Doyle and a Joe Walsh own goal.
Though Dons reduced the deficit to 3-2, captain Peter Clarke restored a two-goal advantage until the hosts hit back at the death.
Wellens made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Bradford City on Tuesday night as Queensy Menig made his first league start of the season, replacing Gevaro Nepomuceno.
It was Latics who dominated the opening 45 minutes and they were ahead after seven minutes, and what a goal it was, a superb flowing move from the back, consisting of over 10 passes, was converted by Davies.
Dons equaliser through Alex Gilbey 10 minutes later when Ousmane Fane conceded possession deep in Latics’ half and Gilbey fired past keeper Johny Placide.
Latics were not deterred by that and went in search of a goal that would put them back ahead.
Five minutes before the break they were rewarded as Doyle scored. Menig received the ball on the left, managed to get to the byline, crossed and Doyle’s flick wrong-footed the goalkeeper as it hit the post and went over the line.
Latics hit their third in stoppage time. Davies fired a low cross into the centre, Doyle managed to get a touch to the ball but Walsh guided the ball over his own goal line to send Latics into the break 3-1 ahead.
The hosts started the second half strongly and managed to pull a goal back after 56 minutes from Ed Upson’s free kick.
Clarke committed a foul and was booked, and Upson stepped up from 20 yards and got the ball up and over the wall.
However, just after the hour, Latics regained their two-goal advantage through captain Clarke who volleyed Jack Byrne’s free kick into the top corner.
Dons introduced Aidan Nesbitt after 80 minutes and he pulled a goal back within two minutes.
Chuks Aneke found the winger in space on the left and he slotted past Placide to reduce the deficit.
With time running out, Dons equalised 89 minutes.
Seager’s initial effort struck the crossbar and Latics were unable to stop Upson netting his second from close range as Latics had blown a two-goal lead.
Oldham Athletic (4-1-3-2): Placide; Dummigan, Clarke, Bryan, Hunt; Gardner; Fane, Bryne, Menig (Nepomuceno 70); Davies (Flynn 85), Doyle. Subs (not used): Ruddy, Wilson, Gerrard, Omrani, Obadeyi.
Goals: Gilbey 17, Upson 56, 89, Nesbitt 82 for MK Dons. Davies 7, Doyle 39, Walsh OG 45+1, Clarke 63 for Latics.
Attendance: 9,312 (694 visitors).