Latics battle to Burton draw

GOOD POINT . . . John Sheridan was without Anthony Gerrard but secured a Burton draw.

BURTON 0, ATHLETIC 0

ATHLETIC earned a useful point in their battle against the drop, holding out against the Sky Bet League One leaders.

The goalless draw pulls John Sheridan's side to within one point of Blackpool in 20th place - still with two games in hand.

Anthony Gerrard was missing for Athletic due to illness and Jonathan Forte was dropped to the bench, with Brian Wilson and Cameron Dummigan brought into the starting line-up.

Sheridan's side started well, though, playing the better football in the opening 45 minutes without creating any clear-cut chances other than that which could have reduced the home side to 10 men after less than five minutes had been played.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway battled for possession and made his way past two defenders to be clear on goal. He was brought down by Tom Flanagan but despite what appeared to be a clear scoring chance, referee Geoff Eltringham only proffered a yellow card.

Though only attacking sporadically, Burton had the two best chances of the opening half. First, Lucas Akins pounced on a loose ball 20 yards out, made his way past Joel Coleman but saw his shot at goal blocked by a retreating Athletic defence.

Then, after 34 minutes, Flanagan rose well to power a header against the crossbar from a Mark Duffy corner kick.

The same defender also jumped to head a clever Duffy free-kick not far wide of goal six minute into a second-half Athletic started more quietly.

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis saw his teasing cross tipped away by Jon McLaughlin as Curtis Main waited to pounce from close range, while at the other end Joel Coleman was at full stretch to tip aside a Mark Duffy free-kick hit from 25 yards out.

Athletic continued to give as good as they got, but without creating opportunities in the final third.

Despite the lack of attempts on goal, though, up against a side clear at the top of the division a draw can only be regarded as a positive effort.