MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Oldham Athletic were controversially denied victory in stoppage time at Macclesfield Town.
Captain and centre-back David Wheater was dramatically dismissed – later overturned on appeal – for conceding the penalty which Joe Ironside converted as the Silkmen snatched an unlikely point.
It looked as though Latics would leave Moss Rose victorious after Jonny Smith gave them the lead in the 83rd minute.
Latics handed debuts to centre back Carl Piergianni and striker Mani Dieseruvwe, both signed on loan from Salford City.
There was also a return in goal for Gary Woods who replaced Zeus de la Paz.
Macclesfield nearly broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Ironside released Arthur Gnahoua who was clean through, but he had a poor first touch before Woods came out to deny the forward.
Latics’ best chance of the first half came when a free-kick found Piergianni inside the 18-yard box and he headed back across goal which resulted in a corner being conceded from which Mohamad Sylla volley landed on the roof of the net.
Moments later, Danny Whitaker’s side came close again as Gnahoua cut in from the left and smashed a shot against the upright.
Just before the interval, a combination of Woods and Tom Hamer kept the scoreline goalless as they blocked a goalbound effort from Corey O’Keeffe.
After half time, Latics started brightly as Smith was denied by the upright after a dazzling run.
Dino Maamria’s side continued this dominant spell and from a corner, Hamer found himself free yards away from goal, but he couldn’t keep his shot down.
Latics took the lead seven minutes from the end after a short corner. Smith cut inside and his powerful strike was too strong for goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook.
Macclesfield drew level after Wheater appeared to head an effort off the goalline.
Latics thought they had cleared the danger only for referee Peter Wright to adjudge the centre-half used his hand and pointed to the spot, also showing Wheater a straight red card.
Ironside stepped up and sent Woods the wrong way to rescue his side a point before Latics’ 10 men saw out the eight minutes of stoppage time.
Goals: Ironside (90+1) for Macclesfield. Smith (83) for Latics.
Oldham Athletic (4-4-2): Woods; Hamer, Piergianni, Wheater, Nepomuceno; Missilou (N’Guessan 72), Jones (Maouche 80), Sylla, Smith; Azankpo, Dieseruvwe (Wilson 47). Subs (not used): de la Paz, Mills, Fage, Egert.
Attendance 2,205 (872 visitors).