PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Oldham Athletic lifted spirits with a well-earned point at Plymouth Argyle, Sky Bet League Two high-flyers.
It was a fruitful trip to Devon as goals from Johan Branger-Engone and David Wheater ensured Latics didn’t return home empty-handed.
And after the off-and-off-the field woes of the previous week it provided a welcome pick-me-up for head coach Laurent Banide’s side.
Latics made two forced changes from the side that lost at home to Colchester with Aaron Smith-Brown not being eligible to play against his parent club while Chris Eagles didn’t make the journey due to injury.
New-signing Filipe Morais came straight into the team in the centre of midfield to make his second debut for the club while Branger-Engone won a recall.
Former player Jose Baxter made his first league start for Argyle.
It was Oldham who started encouragingly creating a number of chances, the clearest a header from Scott Wilson which was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
After Argyle had a spell in control, Latics hit back with Morais’ looping header cleared off the line by Niall Canavan.
Latics made the breakthrough in the 27th minute through Branger-Engone. Wilson was involved as he flicked the ball into the path of the winger who fired a fierce low shot into the far corner of the net.
The Pilgrims responded straight away again and were level within four minutes.
Scott Wootton headed home after Josh Grant was found at the back post unmarked from Baxter’s corner.
Banide’s side was under extreme pressure early in the second half.
Latics’ first clear chance of the second period came when Branger-Engone’s effort from a tight angle found the side netting.
Arygle responded and Danny Mayor’s shot was saved by Gary Woods, who already on the floor, stopped the follow-up effort from John Cooper.
The hosts took the lead after 74 minutes seconds after Latics had squandered a chance through Mohamed Maouche.
Kyle McFadzean cut the ball back from the right to Byron Moore who slid it into the net from close range.
Latics’ reaction was similar to the Lowe’s side in the first-half, equalising only two minutes later.
A corner from Branger-Engone on the left was headed in by David Wheater, a carbon copy to the winner he netted at Cambridge a fortnight earlier.
The Pilgrims finished strongly as Woods was called into action to save the day in the closing stages as the home side almost snatched victory.
Oldham Athletic (4-1-4-1): Woods, Hamer, Wheater, Iacovitti, Fage; Sylla; Morais (McHale 87), Maouche (Mills 90), Missilou, Branger-Engone, Wilson (Azankpo 57). Subs (not used): Stott, Vera, McHale, Zabret.
Goals: Wootton (31), Moore (74) for Plymouth. Branger-Engone (27), Wheater (77) for Latics.
Attendance: 9,061 (143 visitors).