OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, CARLISLE UNITED 1
Oldham Athletic completed a hat-trick of draws against other struggling Sky Bet League Two sides after being held at home by Carlisle United on a day when a fans’ planned boycott of the game failed to make an impact with a near 4,000 crowd at Boundary Park.
After being held at Macclesfield Town and Stevenage Borough, this was another important result for Latics and, by avoiding defeat, it maintained a healthy seven-point cushion between them and bottom-club Morecambe.
Latics showed spirit as they hit back after falling behind to a Byron Webster goal, Jonny Smith earning the point with the seventh goal of his loan from Bristol City.
But there was frustration as Latics have managed only three home league wins from 14 attempts as they continue to toil at Boundary Park.
New-signing Danny Rowe was handed his debut, one of three changes from the side that drew at Stevenage as Zeus de la Paz and Mohamed Maouche win recalls.
The players to lose out were injured pair Gary Woods and David Jones along with Gevaro Nepomuceno.
Rowe made a lively start and an early strike from the former AFC Fylde striker flashed narrowly wide.
There was further frustration for Desire Segbe Azankpo as he had a seventh minute goal ruled out for offside just as he was twice denied by the match official’s flag at Stevenage.
Former Latics’ loanee Adam Collin was the first keeper to be called into action as he turned Christopher Missilou’s near-post effort wide and not long after he also denied Maouche while Christopher Missilou also fired over.
Despite Latics dominance in the opening 25 minutes, it was Carlisle who took the lead. Nathan Thomas’ floated cross found Webster who headed home.
Latics responded immediately as Carl Piergianni came close to opening his Latics’ account, but his brave header from a free-kick flew wide.
Six minutes before half time, Harry McKirdy’s effort was comfortably held by de la Paz. Latics launched a counterattack and Jonny Smith sent a low cross just wide.
Latics’ pressure was eventually rewarded in the 42nd minute. Smith picked the ball up on the right flank, cut inside and sent a well struck long-range effort past Collin.
Latics almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half time. Scott Wilson’s low cross flashed across the face of goal, before deflecting goalwards off Maouche but Collin was on hand to claim the ball on the line.
Latics had been comfortably the better side in the opening period but had failed to make the most of the many first-half opportunities created.
Three minutes into the second period, de la Paz was called into action to tip a scorching Hallam Hope drive round the post.
De la Paz made another good save 10 minutes later, blocking Nathan Thomas’ goalbound shot with his feet.
Just past the hour, Thomas drifted past three Latics’ defenders and into the penalty area, before teeing up McKirdy who blazed over.
A cleverly worked Carlisle free kick found Stefan Scougall who forced a smart de la Paz save from the edge of the box.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Rowe was denied a debut goal by the face of Max Hunt. The Carlisle defender bravely blocked his shot from point-blank range.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Mohamed Sylla found fellow substitute Zach Dearnley after great work down the left-hand side, but the midfielder prodded the ball just wide.
Moments later, Collin got down quickly to hold Smith’s low effort, the final opportunity of the game.
Goals: Smith (42) for Oldham. Webster (42) for Carlisle.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): De la Paz; Hamer, Wheater, Piergianni, Mills; Missilou (Sylla 66), N’Guessan, Maouche, Smith; Azankpo (Wilson 31, Dearnley 72), Rowe. Subs (not used): Allen, Iacovitti, Nepomuceno, Branger-Engone.
Attendance: 3,977 (573 visitors).