Oldham Athletic

The Brewers had the better chances in the game, however, it would be Latics that dominated and looked a threat all afternoon. 

The closest chance of the game fell to the visitors as Burton central defender Tom Flanagan headed against the crossbar in the first half.

The point for Latics keeps them in the final relegation spot, one point off Blackpool.  

Manager John Sheridan was forced into a change as Anthony Gerrard missed the game with illness, meaning James Wilson partnered Brian Wilson at the heart of the Latics defence and Tim Dieng moved into midfield.

It would be Latics that dominated the first half and they went close on two minutes after Curtis Main’s cross strayed inches over the crossbar.

The league leaders were lucky to still have 11 men on the field after battling work from Aaron Amadi-Holloway saw him brought down by Tom Flanagan on the edge of the box.

He suspiciously looked like the last man, but the referee only booked the central defender and Mike Jones’ free kick from 20 yards went well over Jon McLaughlin’s crossbar.

Athletic were taking the game to the hosts and they were backed by an army of supporters who were making all the noise in the first half. 

However, despite Latics’ dominance, they had to be wary of Burton’s attacking threat.

Stuart Beavon was proving to be a nuisance in attack but an excellent block from J.Wilson on 20 minutes denied the forward having a clear run on goal.

Burton should have taken the lead just after the midway point of the first half but a superb block from Brian Wilson denied Lucas Akins from 12 yards.

That would be the hosts best effort of the half but minutes later, it would be Latics that went close through Tareiq Holmes-Dennis.

The Charlton loanee received the ball on the edge of the box from a corner but his shot, which was destined for the bottom corner, was blocked on route to goal.

Latics were winning the midfield battle as Dieng, Carl Winchester and Liam Kelly combined to pick off the Burton attacks.

It would be a set piece which tested Latics 10 minutes from the end of the first half.

Mark Duffy’s corner found the head of Flanagan at the back post and his powerful header hit the crossbar and went away from danger.

Whilst Latics continued to keep possession, they were struggling to create clear cut opportunities in front of goal. 

Latics came out for the second half with the same intensity as the first as they continued to take the game to the league leaders.

Flanagan headed over the crossbar from a Duffy corner but it would be Latics who took control of the game.

Attacking the Latics fans, they showed their appreciation after a superb display of possession play which resulted in a corner.

Curtis Main was almost released on the right but the defender got back in time to deny him, and it would be the Doncaster loanee which almost got on the end of a Holmes-Dennis cross on the hour mark but the goalkeeper did well to deny him.

Joel Coleman had to be alive two minutes later as Duffy curled a free kick towards the top corner but he excellently tipped the ball wide.

Both sides made changes as Jake Cassidy came on for Latics, replacing Holloway, who had put himself about in attack.

He put himself about in attack and 10 minutes from time, he pulled the ball back to captain Liam Kelly but he took a heavy touch and the ball went away from him. 

As the game approached its climax, it became an end-to-end encounter with both sides winning corners. 

Whilst Latics’ corner could not fall into the path of an attacking man, Burton’s corner was cleared by a strong fist from Coleman who made sure they could not build momentum. 

Deep into additional time, J.Wilson was forced into some last ditch defending as he excellently cleared the ball from the onrushing Calum Butcher.

That would be the last bit of incident in the game as Latics recorded a valuable away point against the league leaders.