OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0, AFC WIMBLEDON 0
Oldham Athletic were left frustrated as they were held to yet another goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon.
This was the third meeting between the two teams and they have all ended 0-0.
Latics were left kicking themselves as they had chances to win the game – Craig Daies had a goal ruled out for offside while Jack Byrne and Eoin Doyle could also have won it for Richie Wellens’ side.
Manager Richie Wellens had one enforced change to the side which beat Rochdale 3-1 at the weekend.
Dan Gardner, who picked up his fifth booking of the season at the weekend, was replaced by Paul Green who was drafted into midfield.
Latics started the game brightly and were almost ahead within 90 seconds when Byrne’s long ball found Gevaro Nepomuceno on the left. He set up Eoin Doyle but the striker’s effort went off target.
Latics had the ball in the net after 20 minutes. A corner was cleared to Nepomuceno 25 yards from goal. His well-struck effort was palmed into the path Davies who put the ball in the back of the net but the celebrations were cut short due to as assisant’s flag.
Latics continued to attack and Cameron Dummigan tried his luck, but his effort flew wide of George Long’s goal.
A minute later Byrne found Rob Hunt in the box. He laid the ball back to Davies who picked out Nepomuceno, but his shot deflected wide.
From the resulting Byrne corner, Anthony Gerrard connected sweetly with the ball from, but Long saved.
Just before the break Ousmane Fane did well on the left as he laid the ball back to Doyle who crossed for Davies but the striker headed inches wide of the far post.
It was a tentative start to the second half for Latics who struggled to get into their stride.
It took until 55 minutes for Athletic to create their first chance when Nepomuceno crossed to Doyle 12 yards from goal, but his strike was saved by the legs of Long.
It proved to be a frustrating period for Latics and Wellens looked to the bench and made a double change and added pace to the game.
He brought on Queensy Menig and Aaron Amadi-Holloway and they were both straight into the action.
Seconds after it looked like Long had handled outside his penalty area, the ball found Doyle who was racing through on goal. He elected to pass to Amadi-Holloway but a Wimbledon defender managed to put in a last-ditch challenge.
Latics kept up the intensity and Byrne went a whisker away from opening the scoring after 78 minutes. He cut in from the left and unleashed a fierce strike from 18 yards but it went inches past the post.
They continued to push for the winning goal as they brought on Courtney Duffus to add an extra attacking body. However, they were met by a goalkeeper who was in good form as he continued to thwart them.
Latics had two chances in the final minutes of the game as Doyle volleyed over from 25 yards while Gerrard saw his header saved by Long.
It proved to be a frustrating evening for Latics who had to settle for a point.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Dummigan, Gerrard, Bryan, Hunt (Duffus 86); Nepomuceno (Menig 71), Fane, Green, Byrne; Davies (Amadi-Holloway 71), Doyle. Subs (not used): Wilson, Clarke, Wilson, Omrani.
Goals: none
Attendance: 3,169 (147 visitors)