Bristol Rovers 0-0 Latics

Latics picked up a point on the road at the Memorial Stadium, drawing 0-0 with Bristol Rovers.  

It was a game that both sides will feel they could have taken more from. The hosts went closest when substitute Isaac Hutchinson’s header grazed the post, while Tom Conlon almost snatched the win late on with a free kick that flew narrowly over the bar.  

Overall, though, the contest lacked real quality, and a draw felt a fair outcome.  

Latics began brightly, with Reagan Ogle bursting down the right and picking out Kane Drummond, whose stretching effort was held by Luke Southwood.

Rovers responded on 17 minutes when Fabrizio Cavegn forced a sharp save from Mat Hudson, before the loose ball ricocheted off Ruel Sotiriou and trickled wide to Oldham’s relief.

Ryan Woods then slipped Drummond through with a clever pass, only for Alfie Kilgour to slide in with a crucial intervention. 

Moments later, Conlon’s delivery found Mike Fondop, but his looping header drifted over the bar.  

As the half drew to a close, Scott Quigley headed wide from Ogle’s cross, before a neat move saw Jamie Robson whip in a first-time ball towards Quigley. He flicked it on for Drummond, but Kilgour intercepted just as the forward shaped to pull the trigger.  

Oldham threatened again after the restart, Conlon’s free-kick flashing across the face of goal with no one able to apply the finishing touch.

At the other end, Hudson was at full stretch to tip wide Macauley Southam-Hales’ effort with the outside of his boot.  

Soon after, Hutchinson’s glancing effort had Hudson beaten but bounced inches wide of the upright.  

The final stages were end-to-end without either side finding the breakthrough. Conlon’s free-kick failed to trouble Southwood, before Rovers almost stole it at the death when Jack Sparkes’ set piece came back off the crossbar.

The whistle followed soon after to confirm a hard-fought point for Micky Mellon’s men, who will take encouragement from another strong defensive display.  

Bristol Rovers: Southwood, Sparkes, Kilgour, Omochere, Sotiriou (Thomas 46), McEachran, Conteh, Southam-Hales, Howley (Hutchinson 62), Cavegn (Harrison 68), Lapota (Moore 84).  

Subs not used: Young, Bilongo, Dewsbury.  

Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Ogle, Monthe, Daniels, Robson, Woods, Conlon, Hawkes (Hannant 75), Drummond (Morris 85; Hammond 90+4), Fondop, Quigley (Harratt 85).  

Subs not used: Donaghy, Sutton, Olson.  

Referee: James Oldham  

Attendance: 6,706 (446 away)