TRANMERE ROVERS 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic’s excellent draw in Sky Bet League Two play-off team Tranmere Rovers was overshadowed by crowd trouble.
There were allegations Latics’ 1,348 fans were “penned in like animals” after the game at Prenton Park with policing methods criticised.
Merseyside Police, however, defended their actions claiming there five arrests for drink and drug offences claiming the safety of supporters is the number one priority.
Latics produced an impressive display and, with more of a cutting edge, they could well have left Wirral with three instead of one point.
Top scorer Sam Surridge was again on the bench as he is eased back into action following a hamstring injury as Isthmael Miller and Callum Lang were the front pairing.
Latics were almost in front inside the first minute as Dan Gardner’s corner glanced off the head of defender George Edmundson who was unable to convert.
Former Latics’ player Ollie Banks had the hosts’ first shot well wide before hitting a free kick over the bar, much to the amusement of the fans behind the goal.
It was a tight first half with neither team creating many clear-cut chances, but Johan Branger-Engone took his opportunity when it fell to him five minutes before the break.
Gevaro Nepomuceno’s corner fell to the Gabonese winger and he took the ball under control before slotting it nicely past Scott Davies in the Tranmere goal.
The home side tried to respond as Ollie Norwood headed a Manny Monthe long free kick into the hands of Daniel Iversen and Frank Bunn’s men went in at half-time with the lead.
Tranmere came out with a purpose in the second half and Latics’ keeper Daniel Iversen had to be alert to prevent Miller putting through his own goal.
Connor Jennings then had a big chance, as Jake Caprice’s cross found him at the back post, but his deflected effort went narrowly wide.
Substitute Surridge, introduced midway through the second half, soon flicked on an aerial ball to Miller who could only hit his effort wide as he was falling over, but Surridge had a great chance himself moments later.
Lang played the on-loan Bournemouth man through, but goalkeeper Davies stood up well to block the shot.
That miss proved costly as Tranmere kept the ball alive from a free kick which made its way through to Jennings and he slotted the equaliser after 72 minutes.
Neither side could find a winner in a feisty affair which saw the referee hand out six yellow cards, including one to manager Bunn whose side extended its unbeaten record to four games.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Taylor; Branger-Engone (Surridge 64’), Lyden (Missilou 86), Gardner, Nepomuceno; Lang, Miller (O’Grady 78). Subs (not used): Dummigan, Graham, Maouche, McFarlane.
Attendance: (1,348 visitors).