Latics draw at Pete Wild's Fleetwood

Latics are still unbeaten away from home in the league this season after a pulsating 1-1 share of the spoils at Fleetwood - Oldham’s third successive draw on the road.

Basking in the sunshine at the seaside, almost 1,200 Latics fans’ were in full voice from the start, boasting “we are taking over you’re your town again” and “Oldham boys making all the noise”, before they were silenced after just 12 minutes when a left wing Fleetwood corner made its way all the way through to veteran striker Ched Evans, who had ample time to backheel the home side in front.

But that only seemed to galvanise Latics who dominated most of the rest of the game.

Ryan Woods, Tom Conlon and Josh Hawkes dominated midfield, Joe Quigley and Mike Mike Fondop were constant handfuls up front, while Donervan Daniels and Manny Monthe hardly gave Evans and former Latic James Norwood a sniff up front.

In contrast, the Fleetwood backline were busy all afternoon.

As half time approached, Quigley and Fondop both had shots blocked and Fondop had two ‘goals’ disallowed, first for handball after Hawkes’ shot had been palmed on to the bar by the Fleetwood keeper, and then for offside after Quigley had flicked on Hudson’s long clearance.

But Latics’ did get their deserved equaliser jus before the break.

Woods’ corner found Hawkes on the edge of the box.

His shot was blocked but the rebound came out to Reagan Ogle whose deflected effort nestled in the back of the home side’s goal.

After the restart, Mickey Mellon’s side continued to take the game to Fleetwood, numerous shots were blocked, and Luke Hannant and Kian Harratt came on.

Fondop completed his ‘hat-trick of disallowed goals’ for an alleged push on 70 minutes and Jamie Robson had another effort blocked soon after.

It wasn’t until Norwood was withdrawn that Fleetwood threatened again. Matt Hudson had to save with his feet on 81 minutes and in the dying minutes, the Latics keeper did well to deny Graydon with the rebound falling to Davies who, somehow, failed to find the target.

In between, Harratt’s low shot struck the foot of the Fleetwood post and Quigley twice went close.

After the game, Latics boss Mellon was both relieved with the point and disappointed.

“We could have won we could have lost because of poor game management," he said. 

"We were fortunate at the end.

"After Fleetwood scored, we were the ones in the ascendency.

"There were enough opportunities for us away from home to say we should have won.

"We’ve given a really good account of ourselves in the last two games.

"Supporters were magnificent again today.

"It’s been a decent week for us and two very good away performances.”

Latics next entertain Manchester City U21 in the Vertu Trophy tomorrow night (Tuesday, kick off 7pm) at Boundary Park before returning to EFL League 2 action against Gillingham at BP (kick off 3pm).

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.