Garner rescues late point for Latics

A goal deep into stoppage time from Joe Garner rescued a point in a frustrating Saturday afternoon for Latics at a very cold Boundary Park in front of a crowd of 7,361.

The veteran striker, making his first start of the season, produced a deft header on 95 minutes to beat Shrewsbury’s keeper Will Brook and ensure the points were shared.

Manager Micky Mellon made four changes from the 1-0 defeat at Salford City.

With Will Sutton suspended, Donervon Daniels came back from injury, Jake Caprice and Oli Hammond came into the side to join Garner.

The first half was goalless but Oldham had over 66% of possession and can count themselves unlucky not to be ahead at the interval.

Hammond and Michael Mellon had chances early on but to no avail,

A sublime shot from Jamie Robson then rattled the crossbar on 18 minutes, Daniels also hit the post ten minutes later and Mellon’s low header saw the woodwork deny Latics a goal for a third time.

The home side were then hit by a bolt from the blue seconds after the interval when Anthong Sculley rifled home after Daniels had been unable to clear an attack and low cross from the right.

It took five minutes before Oldham equalised for the first time.

Oli Hammond broke down the left, found Robson inside the box and as the ball came out Tom Pett was on hand to score his first goal of the season.

Latics then were on the front foot as they sought to take the lead, though George Lloyd had an effort at the other end gathered comfortably by Matt Hudson.

Just after the hour Mike Fondop replaced Michael Mellon, followed by Josh Hawkes for Luke Hannant and the third and final substitute for Latics came 15 minutes from time as Hammond made way for Kane Drummond.

Approaching the end of normal time Shrewsbury took the lead for the second time in the game.

The move started with hesitancy just inside the Latics half costing possession.

The away side’s movement forward ended with Tommy McDermott firing a low shot which was deflected past Hudson.

It looked as though the hosts would leave the match pointless until five minutes into stoppage time when Garner rose neatly to head home to the relief of the crowd.

Manager Mellon had mixed emotions at full time.

He said: “We did our best to make hard work of it.

"We concede a goal just after half time with Shrewsbury’s first effort on goal.

"But the boys kept going and we got a thoroughly deserved equaliser.

“And then we gave away a crazy goal, confusion on the half way line and then it sort of rolls on.

"The boys kept going like before and we got an equaliser - it was the least we deserved."

Latics are next in action next Saturday when they host League One Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup.

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