OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1, LEYTON ORIENT 1
On an afternoon in which disgruntled Oldham Athletic fans staged a protest against owner Abdallah Lemsagam, Latics had a frustrating 90 minutes as they were held at home by lowly Leyton Orient.
Despite handing first starts to new signings David Jones and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro, two vastly experienced players, they were unable to help steer Latics to three points in front of a disappointing crowd of only 3,121.
And a frustrated head coach Dino Maamria admitted his side had the same failings as they remain fourth bottom in Sky Bet League Two.
He said: “The players gave it absolutely everything they had got, but we came up short.
“We have to be honest about it and look at the squad we have. We are trying our hardest here to find a team that is going to score goals and win football matches.
“We are not scoring enough goals. We only have three centre forwards, Desire Segbe Azankpo, Scott Wilson and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro who started and was tremendous for 80 minutes until his legs went a bit which is understandable. Desire and Scott need to do a lot more.”
Maamria introduced Jones and Akpa Apkro and recalled Wilson as the injured Christopher Missilou, Filipe Morais and Azakpo missed out.
Yet Latics made the perfect start as Jonny Smith gave them a second-minute lead, the perfect start.
Smith cut in from the right wing before finding the bottom corner of Sam Sargeant’s goal with an excellent finish, his fourth goal in the last six games for the Bristol City loanee.
Orient came into the game more and Jordan Maguire-Drew tested Zeus de la Paz in the 22nd minute with an effort from the edge of the box.
However, he was unable to deny the Orient frontman three minutes later. Lee Angol put in a dangerous low cross from the right that Maguire-Drew converted at the second time of asking to level the scoring.
Maguire-Drew could have put his side in the lead in the 39th minute but he dragged his effort wide.
Jamie Stott had a shot from distance in stoppage time at the end of the first half which Sargeant did well to save as it remained 1-1 at the break.
It was the visitors that had the first chance of the second half, the ball fell loose to Conor Wilkinson whose shot was deflected narrowly wide.
Goalscorer Smith was the man who looked most likely doing something for Oldham and he again tested the O’s keeper in the 53rd minute.
Latics started to become the dominant side and just before the hour mark Zak Mills had a chance but his shot was blocked.
David Jones could have had his debut goal in the 62nd minute. Akpa Akpro held the ball up well for Jones whose effort lacked power and it was easily saved by the Orient goalkeeper.
Latics felt aggrieved when Daniel Happe, who appeared to be the last man, was shown a yellow card for bringing down Akpa Akpro as he charged towards the Orient goal in the 76th minute.
Latics continued to push for a winning goal and substitute Morais almost gave them the lead as his long range effort flew just wide of the goal and in the 89th minute Jones almost capped off his debut in style, his free kick from the edge of the box smashed against the post.
Latics continued to push for a winning goal but Orient held firm for a hard-earned point.
Goals: Smith (2) for Oldham. Maguire-Drew (25) for Orient.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): de la Paz; Hamer, Wheater, Stott, Iacovitti (Morais 68); Mills, Jones, McCann, Smith; Wilson (Maouche 66), Akpa Akpro(Azankpo 80). Subs (not used): Woods, Fage, Sylla, Egert.