GILLINGHAM 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic secured back-to-back clean sheets following a goalless draw at Gillingham in Sky Bet League One.
While that was a positive, the negative is that Latics have fired back-to-back blanks against AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham as the goals have suddenly dried up.
Latics certainly had their chances at Priestfield where they could and should have picked up three points.
Substitute Queensy Menig had the best opportunity of the game as he took on two players and rounded goalkeeper Tomas Holy, but was denied by a goalie clearance but, frustratingly for Latics, it ended in stalemate.
Manager Richie Wellens made one change from the AFC Wimbledon game as Dan Gardner returned to the side following suspension.
Latics had the first chance of the game after eight minutes as Jack Byrne and Eoin Doyle combined. Doyle fed Craig Davies through on goal but goalkeeper Tomas Holy managed to deny the striker with his feet.
Latics had goalkeeper Johny Placide to thank for keeping the scores level two minutes later as he saved well from Lee Martin following a defensive mistake.
There was a nine-minute stoppage following an injury to Martin who left the field on a stretcher.
Latics were a whisker away from opening the scoring midway through the half when Gevaro Nepomuceno headed into the path of Jack Byrne who fired wide from 25 yards.
Byrne again went close on the half hour as he met a Rob Hunt cross, but his effort flew narrowly wide.
Latics continued to attack and after 35 minutes, Doyle’s fierce strike from 25 yards moved in the air, but Holy managed to tip the ball wide.
Placide had to make a save from Conor Wilkinson just before the 45 minutes was up as nine minutes of additional time was announced.
Both sides felt they should have been awarded a penalty in additional time but the referee waved away both protests.
Latics started the second half brightly and created a number of chances.
Byrne deceived two men on the edge of the box but saw his shot blocked while minutes later, Doyle and Davies combined, Doyle crossed but Connor Ogilvie’s flick towards his own goal trickled inches wide.
Latics continued to drive forward and Doyle was thwarted by Holy after 52 minutes. Gardner picked out the run of the striker and he attempted to chip the goalkeeper, but the keeper saved well.
Holy was forced into action again on the hour as he held a Davies free kick from the edge of the box.
The Gills had their best spell of possession soon after as Jake Hessenthaler and Josh Parker had long-range efforts which did not trouble Placide.
Latics threatened on the counter attack and they were left wondering how they didn’t take the lead after 66 minutes.
Substitute Menig was played through by Byrne, he took on two men before rounding Holy, but a Gillingham defender managed to get back on the line to clear.
Menig had another decent effort that curled over and Anthony Gerrard’s header went close as Latics pushed to make a breakthrough.
Gills put pressure on Latics towards the end as former player Tom Eaves proved to be a handful in attack. He forced a low save from Placide as he managed to power through the defence while Wilkinson headed wide after 83 minutes.
Latics broke from a corner five minutes later with Kean Bryan racing the length of the pitch, but Doyle could not convert his cross.
Placide tipped a late free kick from Luke O’ Neill on to the crossbar and a late chance for Doyle was blocked by a resolute Gills’ defence.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard, Bryan, Hunt; Nepomuceno (Menig 64), Fane, Gardner (Green 68), Byrne; Davies (Amadi-Holloway 59), Doyle. Subs (not used): Ben Wilson, Brian Wilson, Clarke, Obadeyi.
Attendance: 4,364 (229 visitors).