Latics secured another point on the road in a 0-0 affair on Maamria’s return to his former club in the first midweek night match of 2020.
Dino Maamria who was making his first appearance back at Stevenage where he had spent a number of years as a player before stepping into coaching and then management made two changes were made from the game at the weekend with Mills and N’Guessan coming into the starting XI for Sylla and Dieseruvwe.
The team currently sitting at the bottom of the Football League signed former striker Jake Cassidy ahead of kick-off but wasn’t involved, whereas Zak Dearnley who made a return to Athletic was named on the bench.
In wet, windy and slippy conditions on the soft surface both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances until midway through the half with Oldham having to defend their goal early on after a bit of pressure.
Smith came to life in the 11th minute when a shot from distance stung the hands of Farman before a succession of corners when that Latics couldn’t take advantage of, Smith once again being denied after his header was flicked off the line from a few yards out.
Once again Smith was involved as his free-kick was punched away from danger before a foul was awarded the Boro keeper, with Nepomuceno winning the set piece after skipping past his marker.
On the half-hour mark Smith then hit the side netting after a good move between N’Guessan and Nepomuceno released the latter for a low cross on the right.
Five minutes later and Maamria’s team had the ball in the back of the net but Azankpo’s brilliant glancing header was adjudged offside from a cross on the left that was whipped in by Smith.
Stevenage hit back with a couple of counter attacks, the first was saved well by Woods, with the second wasted in a 4v1 scenario after they were the quickest to react from a wasted corner routine with everyone forward.
As the first 45 approached its end Woods was replaced in the Oldham goal after a serious looking injury with both teams going into the interval goalless.
Graham Westley’s side started the brighter again after the loose ball was collected by De la Paz to prevent any blushes.
From this Latics came back the stronger with Piergianni’s header that nearly trickled in from a Hamer long throw on the hour mark.
Oldham’s next couple of chances were flagged offside, the best being the second when Nepomuceno flicked on Hamer’s early low cross, with the Boro keeper on form batting away the danger anyway to prevent any doubt.
The best chance of the encounter for Latics fell to Azankpo, clean through on goal on the right his effort was blocked in the penalty area by Farman who made himself big as he rushed onto the striker.
As the game came to an end Stevenage hit the crossbar after a scramble in the box as the corner wasn’t cleared successfully.
With both sides throwing everything at it in horrible conditions, neither team could find that all important goal to claim the three points at the Lamex Stadium which was also Latics' third successive away game before the visit of Carlisle to Boundary Park on Saturday.
Stevenage FC: Farman, James-Wildin (68’ Vancooten), Stokes, Digby (c), Carter, Guthrie, Nugent, Lakin, List (62’ Cowley), Leesley, Timlin (80’ Kennedy).
Oldham Athletic: Woods (45’ De la Paz), Mills, Nepomuceno (79’ Wilson), Missilou, Azankpo, Jones (55’ Sylla), N’Guessan, Smith, Wheater (c), Piergianni, Hamer.
Attendance: 2,156 (Away attendance not announced)
Referee: Kevin Johnson