Travel tonic lifts Latics

GET STUCK IN . . . this midfield duel epitomised Jay Fulton’s contribution.

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Rochdale 0, Athletic 0

THAT'S four away-day points in five days - and a first clean sheet since the last manager, back in the opening month of the season.

Anyone seeking goalmouth thrills and spills will have done well to steer clear of Spotland on Saturday, but Athletic fans can't be too unhappy with the result.

Manager David Dunn saw his well-drilled side put in a mostly solid display against a Dale outfit smashed 6-0 on aggregate by Athletic last season. Opposite number Keith Hill certainly showed Athletic plenty with the way his side chased and harried from start to finish.

Carl Winchester's first touch in the seventh minute showed what Athletic were up against. The midfield maestro had three men straight on him and closing down the space, evidence of Dale's high-energy approach.

Though rarely without some degree of control on the game, Athletic couldn't summon up the capacity to burst through the hotly-contested midfield. Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis wasn’t tested once in 90

minutes, and Athletic’s best efforts on goal came from centre-back Brian Wilson.

The experienced defender was a calming presence alongside namesake James, but fluffed his lines when stooping to head a Daniel Lafferty free-kick at goal. The same player then curled a left-footed shot a couple of feet over the top, while James Wilson flashed a header from a Mike Jones free-kick narrowly wide.

Athletic failed to hit their attacking straps, but Rochdale will be the more concerned at their shot-shyness. This was a third straight 0-0 draw for Hill's side, though ex-Athletic man Lewis Alessandra should have put them a goal up after 17 minutes. He turned a low cross over the bar from six yards - a huge waste.

Athletic captain Liam Kelly was charging into challenges as the game's most prominent player, but the visitors couldn’t find a way to regularly set attacks in motion.

Jay Fulton ended a smart passing move with a low cross which flew across the area before being put behind, while at the other end the home team again went close.

Jamie Allen's corner from the right was met powerfully by Ian Henderson, whose header was pushed out against his left-hand post by David Cornell.

Mike Jones hobbled off before the half-time break, replaced by Dominic Poleon, but even that injection of pace didn't help Athletic carve out many real opportunities.

As referee Andy Madley took centre stage, peppering a hard-fought but never dirty contest with yellow cards – five for Rochdale, three for Oldham – a disjointed derby failed to inspire confidence that either side could summon up a winning goal.

As heavy rain lashed down, Rochdale came closest. Substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was freed down the left of the area by Allen, but Cornell did very well to cut down the shooting angle and blocked the attempt by the substitute.

This wasn't a game that will live long in the memory of the army of Athletic fans present, but after taking three points at Swindon it could have been a lot worse.