OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, PORT VALE 1
There was a sense of disappointment and frustration, even though Oldham Athletic stretched their unbeaten run to seven games following a 1-1 draw at home to Port Vale.
It was viewed more as a case of two points slipping out of their grasp as opposed to one gained as Latics remain in the relegation places in Sky Bet League One.
And talking of slipping, it was an error from goalkeeper Joel Coleman that led to Vale’s goal.
Manager John Sheridan believed the 20-year-old ought to have elected to catch a corner rather than what turned out to be a wayward punch.
It was from a classic with Oldham grinding out a draw with captain Liam Kelly cancelling out Sam Foley’s goal that put the Valiants ahead.
Sheridan made two changes from the side that drew at Scunthorpe three days earlier as Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Mike Jones returned as they replaced Joseph Mills and Carl Winchester.
It was a lukewarm start to the game which only flickered to life mid-half when Kelly’s goalbound header was blocked by Richard Duffy before a drive from Matt Palmer cleared the crossbar.
The Valiants also had their moments when Louis Dodds saw a free kick saved by Coleman while Ajay Leitch-Smith and Michael O’Connor also had openings.
Latics had the last chance of the opening half when Kelly’s 25-yard drive was fumbled by keeper Chris Neal and saved at the second attempt.
Matt Palmer struck a shot over the bar early in the second half, but it was Vale who began to take control as they made the breakthrough on the hour after succession of corners.
When Latics failed to clear the danger, Foley fired home from 12 yards with the aid of a wicked deflection.
Sheridan’s response was to bring on Winchester and Jake Cassidy for Curtis Main and Cameron Dummigan.
Vale ought to have extended their lead when Coleman redeemed himself saving well from Foley before Leitch-Smith ballooned the rebound over the bar from six yards.
It was a huge let off for Latics who drew level two minutes later when Anthony Gerrard was fouled in the box by Duffy.
Kelly’s kick was saved by Neal, but the ball kindly rebounded to Latics’ captain who made no mistake at the second attempt.
While the momentum was with Latics in the last 23 minutes, it was Vale who came closest to finding a winner when substitute Theo Robinson narrowly failed to connect with Foley’s driven cross.
Latics did, however, have one last chance when Coleman’s long clearance found Holloway who was clean through on goal only to fire wide with only Neale to beat.
That underlined the fine margins as, had that been converted, Latics would have picked up three points.