OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, CREWE ALEXANDRA 1
An injury-time goal from George Ray ended Paul Scholes’ perfect record as Oldham Athletic manager as they were held at home by Crewe Alexandra.
Until Ray struck in the 93rd minute, it looked as though Latics would record back-to-back victories thanks to Callum Lang’s first-half goal.
It was not to be, though four points from Scholes’ first two games has been a decent start to his managerial career.
After the 4-1 midweek win against Yeovil Town, Scholes went with the same side with the exception of Rob Hunt replacing the injured Tom Hamer who was concussed early in that game.
In truth it was a poor opening from both sides as neither could get a foothold of the game.
Latics had the first opportunity as Lang laid the ball off to Zak Dearnley to volley from distance, but Ben Garratt easily saved.
Former Latics’ player Paul Green then had an effort which cleared the bar before Latics took the lead midway through the opening half.
Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen quickly hit a long ball forward into the path of Lang who in turn calmly chipped it over Garratt with a difficult finish that he made look easy.
Green then tested Iversen after being played in by Chris Porter, but the Danish goalkeeper managed to parry the effort round the post for a corner.
Green had another big chance to score after Jordan Bowery headed back across goal, but this time the midfielder poked it wide.
Latics had a big chance to double their lead as Dearnley crossed for Johan Branger-Engone, but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet before having a shot eventually blocked.
Scholes’ men started the second half brightly with Dearnley heading into the hands of Garratt.
Clarke had a header straight at Garratt from a corner as Latics were seemingly seeing out the game in a comfortable manner.
Crewe had the ball in the net through Green, but Porter was offside in the build before they eventually equalised.
A ball in from Ryan Wintle found Ray who managed to bundle the ball home to leave Latics frustrated at allowing two points to slip away.
Oldham Athletic (4-2-3-1): Iversen; Hunt, Clarke, Edmundson, Nepomuceno; Missilou, Maouche, Branger-Engone; Baxter (Sylla 62); Lang (O’Grady 57), Dearnley (Benteke 75). Subs (not used): Coke, de la Paz, Stott, Robinson.
Attendance 5,288 (509 visitors).