PORT VALE 0, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Oldham Athletic completed an unwanted hat-trick in Keith Curle’s first match as head coach.
It was the third successive match in which Latics, one of Sky Bet League Two highest goalscorers, had failed to find the net.
And it was something that has happened only once previously this season during the challenging start to the new campaign.
On a positive note, however, this was back-to-back clean sheets for the leakiest defence in the division.
With Latics and Port Vale languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, it was a match devoid of attacking quality.
Neither side was able to find a breakthrough, although Curle was pleased with the resilience shown by his players as they earned a point at Vale Park.
Curle made three changes in personnel from the draw against Southend United on Saturday, also introduced a new shape featuring three central defenders.
There were recalls for Andrea Badan, Brice Ntambwe and Conor McAleny as Dylan Fage, Serhat Tasdemir and Bobby Grant lost out.
While genuine chances were at a premium throughout, Vale had the better of first-half openings, the dangerous David Worrall providing a number of decent crosses.
The winger, a former Latics loanee, played a testing ball across goal which Kurtis Guthrie should have done better with, and Nathan Smith also connected with a cross but directed it straight at Ian Lawlor.
Guthrie then headed wide after another delivery from Worrall who also flashed a shot across goal after cutting in from the right.
Chances for Latics were in short supply before the break but McAleny had a shot blocked by Leon Legg having been released by Alfie McCalmont.
And with half-time looming, Marcel Hilssner fired a 25-yard free-kick over the Port Vale bar.
The hosts again worked Lawlor after the break, as the goalkeeper saved from Guthrie before beating out a drive from Tom Conlon.
There was more attacking intent to Latics’ performance as the game went on, with McAleny denied by goalkeeper Scott Brown before Dylan Bahambola’s shot was charged down by Conlon.
Latics’ best chance of snatching victory came in the closing stages when McCalmont advanced into space but his long-range driver was parried by Brown.
Curle’s side had to fend off late pressure but the fact they emerged with only their third clean sheet of their league campaign was testament to their resolve.
Oldham Athletic: Lawlor, Piergianni, Keillor-Dunn, Ntambwe (Whelan 60), McAleny, Badan, Hilssner (Fage 51), Diarra (Jombati 70), Adams, Bahamboula, McCalmont. Subs (not used): Tasdemir, Sutton, Bilboe, Vaughan.