SWINDON TOWN 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
A dour goalless draw between Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town at the County Ground ended in controversy.
The flashpoint came in the last minute when Swindon, pressing for a winner, were caught on the break.
Christopher Missilou broke clear from half-way only to be cynically tripped by Matt Taylor who was sent off for denying the midfielder a clear goalscoring opportunity.
A mass brawl followed – both clubs are likely to be subject of FA punishment for that – with Taylor dismissed and other players from both sides booked.
The game, that saw Latics maintain their unbeaten away record in Sky Bet League Two, was a complete contrast to the hugely entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Colchester United the previous week.
Latics lacked firepower with the absence of seven-goal top scorer Sam Surridge clearly blunting the team’s cutting edge as he was replaced by Ishmael Miller, the one change from the previous week.
But on the flip side Latics, who conceded three goals the against Colchester, kept a clean sheet and prevented Swindon scoring in a game for the first time this season.
The first half was very much a case of defences on top as the two sides cancelled each other out without many chances being created.
Latics had the first opening as Miller broke through on goal, but the Swindon defence blocked the striker’s shot.
Keshi Anderson had the Robins’ first chance but curled his effort well wide of Daniel Iversen’s goal.
Rob Hunt then whipped in a dangerous cross which fell to the feet of Chris O’Grady, but yet again the shot was blocked.
Swindon’s best chance came as Elijah Adebayo ran through Latics’ defence only to drag his shot wide.
Latics created the best chance of the half as a deep cross from the left was misjudged by Robins’ goalkeeper Luke McCormick, but Johan Branger-Engone volleyed over.
The second half had the same feel, but Miller tested McCormick with a low shot down to the keeper’s left.
Miller then powered through again, but McCormick once again turned behind his shot for a corner.
Latics had to defend well before Alzate curled a decent chance over for the hosts as the game looked destined for a draw.
But in a dramatic finish, Latics had chances to snatch victory.
Following the incident involving Missilou, O’Grady had a chance to turn one point into three, but fired over.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Branger-Engone (Dummigan 67), Gardner, Missilou, Lang (Nepomuceno 90); O’Grady, Miller (Baxter 64). Subs (not used): de la Paz, Benteke, Graham, Maouche.
Attendance 6,181 (412 visitors).