Penalty Hero Connor Ripley Earns A Draw
Goalkeeper Connor Ripley was the hero for Oldham Athletic as he saved two penalties from Millwall striker Lee Gregory in the final minutes of the game to secure a draw for Latics.Referee Carl Boyeson awarded Millwall their first penalty kick on 89 minutes as Brian Wilson was adjudged to have fouled Gregory.
The striker picked himself up but Ripley dived the right way to preserve the point.
Or so he thought. Deep into additional time, substitute Michael Ngoo was adjudged to have handled a free kick and the visitors were presented with another penalty.
Gregory again took the penalty kick and again, Ripley dived the right way and Latics secured a point and the goalkeeper extended his run of clean sheets to 14 games.
Manager John Sheridan made two changes to his side from last weekend's draw against Swindon Town.
Tope Obadeyi and Paul Green came back into the team as Josh Law and Ousmane Fane made way.
With the weather conditions causing havoc, both sides struggled to get the ball down in the early parts of the game.
Former Millwall player Chris Taylor was getting the most joy on the right hand side as he whipped a few dangerous crosses into the box early on but the visitors managed to clear.
As the rain started to fall heavily, Banks was the first man to have an effort on goal but his shot goalwards was blocked.
In a half which turned into an aerial battle, Millwall started to come back into the game.
Former Athletic loanee David Worrall delivered a dangerous cross halfway through the half but Latics just managed to clear.
Aiden O'Neil had to receive treatment midway through the half, but the best chance for the visitors came seconds later.
An aimless cross into the box found the head of unmarked Millwall striker Harry Smith but he headed past Connor Ripley's post.
That was a let off for Latics but they managed to wrestle back control in the game.
Obadeyi and Holloway were being a nuisance in attack, holding the ball and bringing others into play.
Five minutes before the half time break, Latics had their best chance as Taylor's cross found the head of Paul Green but he headed inches over.
Latics were awarded a free kick just before the break but Taylor's curled effort was comfortably saved by Tom King.
Athletic started the second half much brightly as Obadeyi raced forward and struck goalwards but his shot from 18 yards went wide.
Again, Obadeyi raced forward five minutes later, but shot wide from inside the box.
Sheridan's men had to be alert on the hour mark as substitute Fred Onyedinma danced inside the penalty area but Peter Clarke managed to get back on the line to clear the danger.
However, Latics continued to look dangerous coming forward and Ollie Banks blasted an effort from 25 yards just wide of of the post.
The midfielder had another effort on 73 minutes but Millwall goalkeeper King tipped his effort wide.
Sheridan brought on Ngoo and Ousmane Fane in the final 10 minutes of the game and whilst the game looked to be petering out, Millwall were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the game.
Wilson was adjudged to have fouled Gregory, the striker picked himself up but Ripley dived the right way and saved the day.
Millwall continued to attack and were awarded a free kick three minutes into additional time. Hunt fouled Onyedinma on the edge of the box, Calum Butcher stepped up, got the ball over the wall but Ngoo was adjudged to have handled.
Gregory again stepped up but Ripley again dived the right way and secured the point and Ripley's 14th clean sheet this season.
Oldham Athletic: Ripley, McLaughlin, Clarke, Wilson, Hunt, Green, Banks, O'Neill (Fane 79'), Taylor, Obadeyi (Flynn 70'), Holloway (Ngoo 79').
Subs not used: Law, Edmundson, Croft, Erwin.
Millwall: King, Cummings, Craig, Williams, Worrall (Ferguson 75'), Gregory, Butcher, Webster, O'Brien (Onyedinma 57'), Cooper, Smith.
Subs not used: Hutchinson, Thompson, Romeo, Abdou, Girling.
Goals: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Millwall
Attendance:3,856 (480 visiting supporters)