OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, CHESTERFIELD 0.
After an avalanche of goals at both ends in their two previous matches, normal service was resumed as Oldham Athletic played out a goalless draw at home to Chesterfield in Sky Bet League One.
It was a return to the early part of the season when Latics were mean defensively, but lacked a cutting edge.
In saying that, Latics had chances to secure three points as Billy Mckay struck the frame of the goal and substitute Lee Croft also went close, forcing a decent save from keeper Ryan Fulton.
Yet the Spireites may also have snatched victory in the latter stages when Latics’ keeper Connot Ripley saved well to deny Gboly Ariyibi as he kept a third clean sheet in four league games.
Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes from the home defeat to Shrewsbury as Marc Klok and Darius Osei replaced the suspended Ousmane Fane and Freddie Ladapo who missed the game through illness.
Ched Evans, the controversial striker once linked with Latics, had an early chance but was denied by Ripley.
Latics started to dominate and had chances to take the lead as Mckay was denied by Fulton while Osei’s header was cleared off the line by defender Sam Hird.
Former Latics loanee Conor Wilkinson wriggled free and crossed into the centre, but Ariyibi’s shot was held by Ripley.
After striker Lee Erwin forced a smart save from Fulton, Chesterfield had a great opportunity to take the lead just before the half hour mark.
Captain Peter Clarke, who was named the August player of the month before the game, was adjudged to have handled the ball just outside the box.
Evans stepped up but fired his shot from 18 yards over the crossbar, the closest Chesterfield came to opening the scoring in the first half.
Latics were much the better side in the second half.
Ripley’s long ball found Mckay on the edge of the Chesterfield box. His exquisite touch created space inside the penalty area but his shot rebounded off the post and wide.
Minutes later, Klok lined up a free kick from 25 yards which hit the side netting as Latics continued to knock at the door.
Croft was introduced into the game just before the hour mark and almost gave Latics the lead straightaway.
He picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, curled towards the top corner but Fulton excellently tipped the ball over the crossbar to deny the midfielder his first goal of the season.
Latics had to be wary of the counter attack and Dimaio’s cross found Ariyibi at the back post and he volleyed goalwards but Ripley, who was wrong footed, tipped the ball past his far post to keep the game goalless.
Chesterfield continued to put the pressure on Latics’ goal with Ariyibi’s fierce shot headed off the line by Clarke.
Neither side managed to find the winner in the final 10 minutes of the game with substitute Ryan McLaughlin going closest for Latics.
After conceding eight goals in the last two games, Robinson was delighted to record a clean sheet.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Ripley, Law, Clarke, Burgess, Dunne; Klok (Banks 84), Green, Flynn (Croft 57), Erwin; Mckay (McLaughlin 72), Osei. Subs (not used): Kettings, Wilson, Winchester, Dummigan.
Attendance: 3,457