NORTHAMPTON TOWN 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic lost their lengthy battle against relegation from Sky Bet League One after being held to a draw on a dramatic last day of the season.
It was either Latics or Rochdale for the drop with Richie Wellens’ side’s fate in its own hands as they would have stayed up with victory at Sixfields.
But they were held to a draw enabling Dale to leapfrog them following their home win against Charlton Athletic.
It was a highly-charged afternoon in which Latics and Dale changed places on several occasions, but it ended with the Boundary Park club dropping to the bottom tier for the first time since 1971.
Latics started well as George Edmundson out them ahead, but two quick goals from Northampton, a penalty through Matt Grimes and strike from Ash Taylor put the Cobblers ahead before the break.
Tom Hamer equalised 10 minutes into the second half but that was not enough as Dale held on for victory.
It was a quiet opening to the game, though Latics’ Duckens Nazon saw a header loop just over.
Eoin Doyle elected to pass instead of shooting when presented with an opportunity while at the other end, Cobblers’ defender Taylor went close from a header from 12 yards.
Latics’ first clear chance of the game came after 26 minutes as Jack Byrne played in Nazon and he forced a save from Richard O’Donnell.
On the half hour mark, Latics went ahead through Edmundson. The central defender netted his first goal for the club as he smashed home a loose ball from 12 yards.
Latics looked in control but a ball through the middle found Sam Hoskins, Johny Placide could not save and Hamer brought down the striker.
Grimes stepped up and smashed the spot kick into the top corner to equalise just before the break.
Latics thought they were back ahead just before half time as Edmundson again met a cross into the box, but his effort just looped wide of the goal.
Latics were hit with a blow on the stroke of half time as a corner found Leon Barnett who fired goalwards. Placide turned the ball onto the post,but Taylor followed up and fired past the goalkeeper to put the Cobblers ahead at half time.
Both sides created early chances in the second half as Taylor headed wide from eight yards for the home side while Dan Gardner fired past the post from long range.
Latics needed something and they were back level again after 55 minutes through central defender Hamer.
The second-year scholar met a cross from Byrne and he powerfully headed beyond keeper Richard O’Donnell to equalise for Latics 10 minutes into the second half.
Wellens brought on Craig Davies to bolster the attack as news broke that Dale had taken the lead against Charlton Athletic.
Mid-half, Davies met a cross from Wilfried Moimbe but he headed over from six yards.
Gardner limped off injured after 73 minutes while two minutes later, Nazon raced at the defence and shot but he fired wide from 18 yards.
Latics were forced into some defending as time started to run out. Grimes took a free kick 30 yards from goal which Placide had to tip over the crossbar.
Latics threw everything forward in a bid to get something out of the game but the ball would just not fall for them as a winning goal, that would have ensured safety, eluded them.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Placide; Hunt, Edmundson, Hamer, Moimbe; Pringle, Gardner (Benyu 73), Nepomuceno (Davies 56), Byrne; Doyle, Nazon (Holloway 83). Subs (not used): De La Paz, Stott, Obadeyi, McEleney.
Goals: Grimes (42), Taylor (45+4) for Northampton. Edmundson (30), Hamer (55) for Latics.
Attendance: 6,511 (1,453 visitors).