Oldham Athletic

Latics lived dangerously at the end of the goalless opening period of their home npower League One game against Tranmere Rovers.

Tranmere had three glorious chances to take the lead late in the half as Latics reached the interval on level terms.

The visitors made the livelier start creating two scoring chances inside three minutes, Joe Thompson creating both after darting runs down the left and delivering testing crosses.

First Jake Jervis sliced his shot wide from in front of goal and then Jake Cassidy foced an easy diving save keeper Dean Bouzanis.

Captain Dean Furman was booked in the fifth minute for clattering into Danny Holmes.

It was Furman's fifth yellow card of the season and he therefore misses next Saturday's league game at Bournemouth.

Jose Baxter (pictured) spotted Tranmere keeper Owain Fon-Williams off his line and tried an audacious shot from the centre circle which forced a good save.

Tranmere were forced to make a 19th minute change when Holmes, hurt by Furman's challenge, was replaced by Michael Kay.

Reece Wabara and Lee Croft combined to set up Baxter whose 25-yard drive flashed just wide of the upright.

Latics were unlucky not to take the lead just short of the half hour after a three-versus-three break.

Furman and Baxter set up Cristian Montano whose shot from the left of the penalty area brought a brilliant save from Fon-Williams.

Latics had three let offs just before the break.

Cassidy broke on the right and crossed for James Wallace who fired wide at the near post when it looked as though he could not miss.

Jervis then hit a stinging shot at Bouzanis after Zoumana Bakayaogo carved open their defence on the left.

And in stoppage time, Derbyshire's awful back pass was intercepted by Cassidy who curled his shot wide with only Bouzanis to beat.

Half-time: Latics 0, Tranmere 0,