OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, PORT VALE 0
Yet another blank – that’s 17 in 24 matches in Sky Bet League One that Oldham Athletic have failed to find the net – was responsible for the failure to beat Port Vale at SportsDirect.com Park.
It was another frustrating day as Latics twice struck the frame of the goal through Freddie Ladapo and Billy Mckay, but once again they lacked a cutting edge as they remain bottom of the table.
And the home hoodoo also struck as Latics have recorded only one home league victory from 11 attempts.
It was a costly slip up as the Valiants were not far outside the relation places so this was an ideal opportunity for Latics to claw back ground on the clubs above them.
Sadly that didn’t happen as Latics failed to start 2017 with a desperately-needed victory.
Manager Stephen Robinson made three changes to the side which played Fleetwood Town two days previous with Lee Croft, Oumane Fane and Freddie Ladapo winning starts as Cameron Dummigan, Paul Green and Billy Mckay lost out.
The lively Darius Osei proved a handful in attack as he turned on the edge of the box after 13 minutes, but his effort was blocked.
Latics were taking the game to Vale and they almost found a breakthrough five minutes later when Fane set up Ladapo who was denied by a smart save from keeper Ben Alnwick.
Crystal Palace loanee Ladapo had a golden opportunity to put Latics ahead after 26 minutes as he beat the offside trap but struck the post when presented with a one-on-one opportunity.
While Latics were much the better side in the opening 45 minutes, they had a let off five minutes before the break.
Vale midfielder Sam Kelly lined up a volley from the edge of the penalty area which forced Connor Ripley into a superb one-handed save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Latics had two chances before the break to open the scoring with Ollie Banks shooting wide from 30 yards wide while one minute later Osei forced the goalkeeper into a near post save after good work from Ladapo.
Latics remained the better side in the second half as Ladapo shot wide when he ought to have hit the target.
Robinson brought on Carl Winchester and Mckay into the action to add an injection of pace.
That move almost paid off as Osei’s cross after 68 minutes found Winchester but somehow the goalkeeper made a superb save to tip his header wide around the post.
Fellow substitute Paul Green was the next to test the goalkeeper as his curling effort from 25 yards forced the Alnwick into a diving save.
Vale’s Ryan Taylor lined up a free kick from 20 yards which forced Connor Ripley into a smart save at his far post.
However, the last five minutes belonged to Latics, they did everything but force the ball over the line.
Firstly Mckay won the ball in the penalty area, turned and fired through a sea of bodies but it hit the post and fell wide.
And just before the end of the game, Osei received the ball in space from Mckay’s knockdown but his shot was saved by a resolute Alnwick.
Latics did everything but put the ball in back of the net and can be disappointed not to come away with the victory.
Oldham Athletic (3-5-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Burgess; McLaughlin, Fane, Banks (Green 65), Croft, Flynn (Winchester 62); Ladapo (Mckay 62), Osei. Subs (not used): Kettings, Edmundson, Law, Dummigan.
Attendance: 3,451 (435 visiting supporters)