ROCHDALE 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Relegation-threatened Oldham Athletic recorded their fourth straight draw at rivals Rochdale on a night when one of their supporters disgraced the club.
The 27-year-old went on to the pitch at Spotland to confront referee Peter Bankes after he awarded Dale a first-half penalty.
Quick-thinking Latics’ captain Anthony Gerrard wrestled the offender to the ground and he was subsequently handed a two-year ban by the club after he apologised.
It was a match neither side could afford to lose as Latics were fifth bottom and Dale in the last of the relegation places.
And thanks to keeper Johny Placide’s penalty save to deny Joe Rafferty, Latics picked up another point in their battle to beat the drop to League Two.
Placide made other key saves in the goalless draw as Dale edged the derby though Latics had chances late on to snatch all three points.
Manager Richie Wellens handed Tom Hamer his first league start as he replaced Wilfried Moimbe who missed the game through suspension.
Latics started the half the stronger, but Dale had the first real opportunity of the game as Brad Inman’s volley from 25 yards cleared the crossbar.
Midway through the half, Latics were forced into deep defending as Matty Done wriggled away from Gerrard and found Ollie Rathbone but his effort from six yards was hit into the ground.
Just after the half hour mark, Dale were awarded a penalty as Gerrard fouled Thompson in the penalty area.
After a lengthy delay due to the pitch incursion, Rafferty stepped up for Rochdale but Placide guessed the right way and dived full length low to his left to turn away the kick.
Latics came under increased pressure in the closing stages of the half as they struggled to get hold of the ball, but it remained goalless at the break.
Latics needed a response after the break, but it was Rochdale again who had the early chances.
Joe Thompson could not guide a cut back on target while Done had a header that went wide as did a strike from Callum Camps.
Wellens made changes and brought on Patrick McEleney and Aaron Amadi-Holloway and it was McEleney who almost forced the opening goal of the game after 68 minutes.
Eoin Doyle flicked the ball into the path of the Irishman who skipped inside the penalty box and shot but it cleared the crossbar.
Minutes later, Rochdale thought they had taken the lead as Calvin Andrew bundled the ball into the back of the net but the referee blew his whistle for a foul on Placide.
Clear-cut chances were at a minimum with Latics forced to shoot from long range as Dan Gardner saw an effort fly wide from 30 yards.
It was an exciting finish as Inman fired over from inside the penalty area one minute before the end but Latics had the better chances in the four minutes of additional time.
Doyle almost glanced a header into the path of McEleney six yards from goal, while Fane’s surging run and shot went off target.
In the final minute of additional time, Placide’s long ball found the head of Amadi-Holloway who nodded into the path of Doyle but he fired over as the points were shared.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Hamer, Gerrard, Edmundson, Hunt; Fane, Gardner, Pringle (McEleney 59), Byrne (Amadi-Holloway 66); Nazon (Obadeyi 77), Doyle. Subs (not used): De La Paz, Nepomuceno, Benyu, Benteke.
Attendance: 6,261 (2,827 visitors).