Oldham Athletic

Latics’ best chance of the game came in the first half as Lee Erwin’s goal bound effort from the edge of the box was cleared off the line.

Despite Athletic’s dominance, they could not force an opening, however, that is their second clean sheet in a row and Steve Robinson’s men are still yet to concede a goal from open play.

Robinson made two changes to his starting line up from Saturday as Lee Croft earned his first start of the season and Charles Dunne was handed his debut.

It would be Latics who had the first half chance of the game two minutes into the game as Billy Mckay, who lined up against his former side, laid the ball to Ryan Flynn on the edge of the box but his shot was blocked. 

Northampton started to dictate play and Connor Ripley was forced into a smart save on seven minutes.

A corner into the box was headed goalwards by Alex Revell which Ripley did well to beat away and then the striker fired the rebound over the crossbar. 

Former defender Zander Diamond, who lined up at central defence for Northampton Town, had a shot blocked as the Cobblers continued to control.

Latics came back into the game and Croft on the right hand side was showing some neat touches. 

The winger released Josh Law on the edge of the box but his threaded through ball to Mckay was just intercepted.

Dunne was a presence on the left hand side. Midway through the first half, he picked out Lee Erwin in the centre who took on his man and won a corner. 

Whilst the corner came to nothing, Latics were pressing and had their best chance of the game on 32 minutes.

Dunne raced into the penalty area after taking on three men, he shot goalwards but his effort was blocked. The ball fell to Croft who laid the ball back for Erwin to strike but his low drive was cleared off the line by a Northampton Town defender. 

From the following corner, Dunne rose highest and headed the ball into a dangerous area but the Cobblers just managed to clear.

Athletic continued to press and this time the ball found Peter Clarke at the back post but his header fell agonisingly wide of the far post.

With the interval looming, Latics, who had grown into the game, had one final chance of half.

Erwin released Law on the right hand side but he could not recreate his heroics of last week as he volleyed past the post.

Whilst both sides enjoyed early possession in the second half, the crowd were lifted through a piece of good trickery by Croft.

Latics were inspired by that and Clarke opened fire from 30 yards which forced a smart save from Northampton goalkeeper Adam Smith. 

Robinson brought on Calaum Jahraldo-Martin for his debut just after the hour mark and he slotted into the right wing position.

John-Joe O’Toole went into the referee’s notebook 64 minutes into the game, and he would be one of six players the visitors had booked during the game.

Latics continued to dominate the game but were frustrated by both a stubborn defence and a lack of urgency from the visitors. 

Cameron Burgess headed close with 20 minutes remaining, whilst Law’s cross to Green in the centre was just intercepted as Latics could not force an opening.

Darius Osei was introduced in the final 10 minutes to add some attacking flair and his forceful run on 85 minutes was halted by Diamond who earned a booking.

The final chance of the game came in added on time as Jahraldo-Martin fired over the crossbar from the edge of the box as Latics had to settle for a point.