Oldham Athletic

Callum Camps opened the scoring early in the game but captain Peter Clarke equalised on 67 minutes to secure Athletic’s status in the division next season.

Manager John Sheridan made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 at Bristol Rovers last week.

Ousmane Fane and Paul Green returned whilst Aaron Amadi-Holloway returned from injury to start in attack. 

It would be the visitors who started the brighter of the two sides and had the first chance in the opening minute. 

Jamie Allen received the ball on the left and crossed into the box but Peter Clarke managed to intercept and clear for a corner.

Calvin Andrew rose highest from the resulting corner but the referee blew for a free kick in Athletic’s favour.

Latics could not get going in the game as Andrew headed over on six minutes whilst two minutes later, Ian Henderson was just blocked out by Brian Wilson. 

Rochdale took the lead on 13 minutes courtesy of Camps. 

The midfielder met a cross from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing into the box and swept past Connor Ripley to open the scoring. 

Latics responded well to go going a goal behind and started to create chances. 

The best chance in a sustained period of pressure came from Ousmane Fane but the midfielder’s shot was saved by Conrad Logan.

Midway through the half, Rochdale full back Joe Rafferty volleyed wide from the edge of the box.

Latics had their best chance of the half on the half hour mark as Fane found himself the furthest man forward and in acres of space but elected to pass 18 yards out rather than take a shot. 

The visitors enjoyed the better of the possession in the closing stages of the first half with Henderson going close on two occasions. 

Whilst the striker’s first effort went over the crossbar, his second had to be saved by Ripley after Henderson attempted a cheeky chip. 

Latics did have the final chance of the first half in additional time but Paul Green’s tame effort was saved by Logan. 

Neither side made a change at the break and the visitors almost made it two minutes into the second half.

Joe Rafferty’s cross found the head of Henderson but Ripley managed to make the save.

Sheridan brought on Tope Obadeyi on 53 minutes and he made an immediate impact as he won a free kick on the left.

Whilst that free kick came to nothing, he added energy to the game which Latics had been lacking in the opening 45 minutes.

Just before the hour mark, Fane connected with an Ollie Banks corner into the box but he headed wide of Logan’s post.

Athletic won a free kick on 66 minutes which Jamie Stott went over to take.

The full back whipped in a deep cross which was met by the head of captain Clarke and he headed Latics level. 

It was Latics who had the momentum following the goal and they looked the most likely to score the next goal. 

Despite the pressure, Athletic could not force a clear cut opening in front of goal.

Latics had some defending to do in the final 10 minutes of the game with Mendez-Laing a threat.

He almost netted the winner on 85 minutes but he his shot went wide of Ripley’s far post.

Holloway had the final shot of the game but it was saved but that did not matter as Oldham Athletic secured safety with the draw and will play Sky Bet League One football again next season.