OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, BRISTOL ROVERS 1
Oldham Athletic snapped their two match losing run, in Sky Bet League One but were disappointed to be held at home by Bristol Rovers.
They had a highly commendable 26 goal attempts, but managed to find the net only once.
And that was from a Craig Davies penalty that was saved with the striker slotting home the rebound.
Davies’ goal cancelled out a strike from Billy Bodin that had given Rovers the lead early in the second period.
Manager Richie Wellens made three changes to his side that lost at home to Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day.
Peter Clarke returned to captain the side as Anthony Gerrard was named on the substitutes bench. Jack Byrne and Davies also lost out as there were starting spots for Gevaro Nepomuceno and Queensy Menig.
Latics had the first chance of the game when Tope Obadeyi found space 25 yards out, but his goal-bound effort was blocked.
Minutes later, Nepomuceno almost found the top corner with an effort from the edge of the box but goalkeeper Adam Smith had it covered.
Latics were on top and almost went ahead after 18 minutes. Aaron Amadi-Holloway found Menig, but he dragged his shot wide from 12 yards.
Midway through the half, full back Cameron Dummigan won the ball 25 yards from goal and tried his luck but it flew inches over the crossbar.
Latics had to be wary at the opposite end as Ellis Harrison found space in the penalty area, but fired over Johny Placide.
Latics needed a spark and almost found the opening goal of the game on the half hour mark but Dan Gardner’s strike from 30 yards flew wide of Smith’s goal.
Wellens’ men continued to knock on the door and a minute before the end of the half, Obadeyi cut inside his defender and struck but Smith made an unorthodox save to ensure it remained goalless at the break.
It was a disastrous start to the second half as Rovers took the lead within three minutes.
Striker Bodin beat the offside trap and lobbed the ball over the head of Placide to put the Gas ahead.
Latics were almost level shortly after as Obadeyi turned and shot on the edge of the box, but fired wide.
Wellens made a double change and brought on Byrne and Ryan Flynn and both made an immediate impact.
The pair combined on the hour mark as Byrne found Flynn in the penalty box but his shot on the turn went wide.
Rob Hunt saw an effort deflected over the bar whilst Byrne twice was denied by the feet of Tom Lockyer as he so nearly got Latics level.
Wellens made a final change and brought Davies on after 67 minutes and he was presented with a great chance to equalise four minutes after his introduction.
Midfielder Flynn was upended in the penalty area and that allowed Davies the chance to score from 12 yards.
He spot kick was saved but he followed in the rebound to draw Latics level with 20 minutes still left to play.
The momentum was with Latics and they will still wonder how they did not take the lead after 78 minutes.
After shouts for a penalty on Clarke were ignored, the ball bounced around in the box, eventually falling to Aaron Amadi-Holloway whose fierce strike was well saved by Smith.
Latics were throwing everything in a last-ditch bid to win the game as Obadeyi again saw a shot flash wide of the far post while in the first minute of additional time, Bryan fired over the crossbar.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-1-1): Placide; Dummigan, Clarke, Bryan, Hunt; Nepomuceno (Flynn 57), Fane, Gardner (Davies 67), Obadeyi; Menig (Byrne 57); Holloway. Subs (not used): Wilson, Gerrard, Green, Maouche.
Goals: Davies (72) for Oldham. Bodin (48) for Bristol Rovers.
Attendance: 3,928 (356 visitors)