OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, ROTHERHAM UNITED 1
Oldham Athletic were held at home by Rotherham United in a Sky Bet League One clash involving teams with contrasting fortunes.
Lowly Latics are now without a win in seven league games while the Millers extended their unbeaten run to the same number of matches.
But with only three points from a possible 21, Latics are sliding back towards the relegation places having initially climbed to lower mid-table after manager Richie Wellens lifted them from bottom spot.
And one point could easily have become three for Latics had they displayed a cutting edge. They enjoyed plenty of possession, created numerous chances, but only found the net once when Craig Davies netted his 10th of the season.
Wellens, who was in the stands while serving a one-match touchline ban, named two of his new signings in the starting line-up.
Kundai Benyu and Ben Pringle lined up in midfield and the latter almost helped Latics take the lead in the opening minutes of the game.
Pringle played in Dan Gardner who laid the ball back for Davies but the strikert’s effort was cleared off the line by Millers’ defender Richard Wood.
However, despite that good start, Rotherham took the lead after seven minutes. Latics failed to clear a ball into the box and Ryan Williams hammered home at the near post.
Wellens’ men needed a response and the two new signings almost combined to equalise but Pringle’s effort was blocked.
After a quick change of assistant referee, Davies almost profited from a mix up in the Rotherham defence but they managed to recover and clear the danger.
Pringle almost deceived Marek Rodak just before the half hour mark before Ousmane Fane’s bursting run won a free kick right on the edge of the box for Latics. Gardner fed Davies who turned and his shot found the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
It was all Latics until the end of the first half but the best chance came deep into stoppage time.
Tope Obadeyi took on his defender, raced at the defence but blazed his effort from 25 yards over the crossbar.
Latics had to be wary at the start of the second half as Will Vaulks’ long-range effort had to be tipped over the crossbar by Johny Placide.
A minute later, Latics countered and went close to gaining the lead. After neat build up play, Obadeyi crossed for Gardner who knocked it down for Pringle to strike but he fired over the crossbar.
On the hour mark, Cameron Dummigan broke up play and raced at the Rotherham defence. He fed Obadeyi who attempted to find the unmarked Davies at the back post but Wood blocked the cross.
Vaulks, already booked, found himself fortunate to still be on the pitch as after 75 minutes he caught Ousmane Fane late but the referee only had a word with the midfielder.
Latics had their best spell in the final minutes of the game, but were forced into defending as well.
Substitute Gevaro Nepomuceno fired a fierce ball across the face of the Rotherham six-yard box but Wood managed to clear, while seconds later Davies felt he should have been awarded a penalty but the referee waved away his protests.
Placide was forced into action two minutes later as Joe Newell’s volley was saved by the goalkeeper while Richie Towell blazed over the crossbar from 25 yards as it remained stalemate.
Oldham Athletic (4-5-1): Placide; Dummigan (Nepomuceno 85), Edmundson, Gerrard, Wilson; Benyu (Amadi-Holloway 74), Fane, Gardner (McLaughlin 70), Pringle, Obadeyi; Davies. Subs (not used): Hamer, Sheridan, Maouche, Duffus.
Goals: Davies (31) for Oldham. Williams (7) for Rotherham.
Attendance: 4,775 (1,172 visitors).