BURY 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic displayed a never-say-die spirit to earn another point in their battle against relegation from Sky Bet League One.
Latics wiped out a two-goal deficit to extend their unbeaten run to five games. And those 11 points have lifted them out of the relegation places.
They are two points and two places clear of the bottom four as they are inching their way to safety.
Latics were far from their best, especially when they found themselves 2-0 down after 34 minutes through goals from Jay O’Shea and Neil Danns.
But goals from Craig Davies and Ben Pringle, his first for the club, earned parity with 13 minutes remaining.
Manager Richie Wellens named an unchanged starting line up from the win over Scunthorpe United last week.
That meant a place on the bench for goalscorers Patrick McEleney and Eoin Doyle who were continue their recoveries from injury and illness.
It was the home side who started the brighter out of the two with Greg Leigh and O’Shea going close early on.
Leigh’s effort slid past the post while goalkeeper Johny Placide tipped O’Shea’s strike from 25 yards past the post.
Minutes later, Harry Bunn forced Placide to tip his effort over the crossbar as the early momentum was with the Shakers.
Wilfried Moimbe went into the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on Zeli Ismail on 10 minutes, however, minutes later, Latics had their first chance of the game.
Jack Byrne released Duckens Nazon who managed to skip past his man but the striker fired his effort wide of Connor Ripley’s goal.
Bury took the lead after 14 minutes through a 25-yard effort from O’Shea. After Placide made a save from Bunn, O’Shea rifled in an effort from 25 yards.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium and it would take until 34 minutes before Bury doubled their lead through Danns.
The midfielder received the ball on the edge of the box and struck a shot, that with the aid of a deflection, flew into the far corner.
Latics struggled to get a foothold in the game and they were dealt a further blow as Anthony Gerrard was forced off with an injury after 38 minutes and was replaced by Brian Wilson.
However, Latics halved the deficit after 42 minutes. Byrne knocked the ball to Nazon who took on two men and his deflected effort found Davies at the back post who found an empty net.
Latics started the second half on the front foot and were almost level after 48 minutes.
Byrne won a free kick on the edge of the box, Kean Bryan stepped up but Connor Ripley saved his effort which was destined for the top corner.
As Latics pushed further forward, they also had to be wary at the back as Bunn stepped in from the left and shot from 18 yards but it went wide of Placide’s goal.
Wellens turned to Doyle and Aaron Amadi-Holloway to try to get his side back into the game and that gave the fans and the players a lift.
A cross from Wilfried Moimbe presented Doyle with an opportunity on the hour, but he headed over.
Doyle almost back heeled the ball into the path of Byrne after 76 minutes which would have presented him with a golden effort to score but it was just cleared in front of him.
However, a minute later, Athletic were level through a fine finish from Pringle.
Amadi-Holloway flicked the ball on to Doyle who found Pringle out wide. The midfielder raced into space and unleashed an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box into the far corner.
The hosts started to up their game and went close on a number of chances. Danns saw an effort saved by Placide while minutes later, Miller almost found space inside the box but was crowded out.
Substitute James Hanson headed wide minutes later, and O’Shea’s free kick was cleared as Latics defended resolutely to retain a point.
Deep in added time, Bury thought they had won the game as a corner into the box was headed goalwards but Moimbe cleared off the line to ensure the points were shared.
Oldham (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard (Wilson 38), Bryan, Moimbe; Fane, Gardner, Pringle, Byrne; Davies (Amadi-Holloway 56), Nazon (Doyle 56). Subs (not used): De La Paz, Hunt, McLaughlin, McEleney.
Goals: O’Shea (14), Danns (34) for Bury. Davies (42), Pringle (77) for Latics.
Attendance: 5,904 (2,707 visiting supporters).