OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, WALSALL 1
Oldham Athletic paid for wastefulness in front of goal as they were held to a home draw against fellow Sky Bet League One strugglers Walsall.
And the loss of two more points left Latics still perilously close to the relegation places.
Latics fell behind to a goal from West Brom loan player Jack Fitzwater but drew level before half time through Duckens Nazon.
Manager Richie Wellens named Anthony Gerrard back in his starting line up for the game in place of the injured Kean Bryan while there was also a start for Nazon who started his first game since Bury as he replaced Tope Obadeyi.
Latics, who switched from 4-5-1 at Oxford for 4-4-2, started well and knocked the ball around well and created an early chance when Patrick McEleney fired wide.
They had to be wary at the other end as Julien Ngoy found space following a good run from George Dobson, but Johny Placide saved.
Nazon had another effort after 12 minutes which flew past the post and soon after the striker almost put Latics ahead with an acrobatic effort as his overhead kick from 12 yards landed on top of the roof of the net.
Latics continued to dominate the possession, however, had to be wary of the counter attack.
Just after the half hour mark, Placide was forced to make a save from Ngoy who managed to get behind the defence.
From the resulting corner, Walsall took the lead. Placide made a good save from Jon Guthrie who rose highest from the corner but Fitzwater volleyed home the rebound to put the visitors ahead.
That goal came against the run of play and rocked Latics but they got back on level terms on the stroke of half time.
Nazon picked up the ball on the left, danced his way into the penalty area and fired into the bottom corner.
It was a bright opening to the second half from Latics who created a number of chances to take the lead.
A Jack Byrne effort was blocked after 54 minutes while seconds later Latics were almost ahead.
Nazon’s shot was deflected off Fitzwater and almost went into the goal but Liam Roberts managed to claw the ball away with one hand.
From the resulting corner, Byrne’s inswinging corner hit the crossbar but went over.
Latics did all the pressing and again almost found themselves ahead on the hour.
Nazon swivelled on the edge of the box and unleashed a thunderous effort but Roberts somehow managed to tip the ball around the post.
Both sides made changes as Wellens introduced Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Obadeyi as they looked for a winner.
Eoin Doyle was always a threat in the box and he saw an effort saved after74 minutes while at the other end Amadou Bakayoko split the defenders but could not head home from 12 yards.
Both sides had chances to win the game in the final couple of minutes as Bakayoko rose highest from a free kick into the box but his effort was tipped over by Placide.
At the other end, Amadi-Holloway headed goalwards from a corner but his effort was punched off the line by Roberts as it ended goalless.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Hunt, Gerrard, Edmundson, Moimbe; Fane, Gardner, Byrne (Davies 90), McEleney (Obadeyi 75); Nazon (Amadi-Holloway 69), Doyle. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Hamer, Nepomuceno, Pringle.
Goals: Nazon (45) for Oldham. Fitzwater (34) for Walsall.
Attendance: 3,424 (237 visitors).