Poleon double not enough for Latics

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 11 April 2015


Follow this link to see our updated Latics match report with more images:

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/91247/liftoff-for-dazzler-dom

ATHLETIC 2 SHEFF UTD 2

TWO super strikes from Dominic Poleon weren't enough for Athletic to see out victory as the visitors netted twice in the second half to take a point.

Poleon's second in particular was an absolute rocket, from 35 yards out.

But Dean Holden's side conceded two poor goals from a defensive viewpoint to Jason Holt and Jamie Murphy, handing the Blades a share of the spoils.

Athletic made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Crawley, with a pair of ex-United men stepping in. Danny Philliskirk was back after illness and Poleon stepped up into the starting line-up.

Out went Mat Sadler and Conor Wilkinson, both of whom were relegated to the substitutes' bench.

Athletic, playing into a strong wind, forced a save from Mark Howard when Liam Kelly struck one low from 30 yards out and at the other end, Joel Coleman saved with his legs from Marc McNulty.

Poleon's first saw him nick possession, drive powerfully into the area and fire low across Howard and into left corner.

And his second saw the forward – who played seven games without scoring for the Blades in 2013 – bulldoze through a couple of challenges before smashing in a shot which Howard, off his line, could only get fingertips to as it travelled over him and into the net.

Poleon almost made it 3-0 when Turner made a darting run down the left of the area, squaring the ball across the six-yard box. The shot was sliced well wide under pressure from a diving defender.

The first goal for the visitors came out of nothing. Paul Coutts' cross somehow travelled all the way across goal, Adam Lockwood missing his clearance allowing Holt to poke home from close range.

The equaliser came after referee Richard Clark over-ruled his assistant on the award of a corner. Coleman saved initially but the ball fell kindly for Murphy to bundle home.

Michael Doyle almost gave the Blades a lead with a left-footed effort from outside the box that crashed against a post.

Athletic ended the game strongly, but couldn't force a winner.