Latics remain fourth after Sutton stalemate

Latics' unbeaten record was extended to six matches after their goalless draw with Sutton United in front of 5,738 fans at Boundary Park.

The result sees them remain in fourth place in the National League table.

Manager Micky Mellon made three changes to the starting lineup from the 2-2 draw with Altrincham on Tuesday night.

With first choice goalkeeper Matt Hudson still out with an injured finger, Tom Donaghy, who signed on Friday took over from Jake Dennis.

Playmakers Tom Pett and Josh Lundstram, substitutes on Tuesday, came in for Matt Worthington and Vimal Yoganathan.

Goalmouth action was very much at a premium and it was 18 minutes before we saw our first shot of the game, debutant Donaghy doing well to turn a 20-yard shot from Will Davies away for a corner.

After 25 minutes Latics had their first goal effort when leading goal scorer Mike Fondop tried a long distance shot but it was just wide of Sutton goalkeeper Jack Sims’s post.

Minutes later Fondop’s appeal for a penalty fell on deaf ears, ignored by referee Andrew Miller.

The second half saw a similar low-key encounter.

Early after the interval Donaghy again saved well, this time from the industrious Ryan Jackson, whilst at the other end Billy Waters fired a half chance for Latics over the bar.

James Norwood and Joe Pritchard came on ten minutes after the break replacing Waters and Lundstrom.

Latics were spurred on by the crowd, with the proactive Tom Pett passing well and Jake Caprice marauding down the wing, both attempting to push Oldham further forward and deliver a final ball into the box, but the visitors responded with a calm defensive display to keep them out.

Norwood twice had chances when he first headed over from a Pett delivery, and later firing wide,

Fondop then volleyed over, Pritchard had a goal effort off target, whilst, at the other end, Eduino Vaz tested Donaghy - the Oldham stopper being equal to it.

Matt Worthington came on midway through the half as he took over from Jordan Rossiter and the Oldham fans sensed they were stepping up a gear as the game went on.

The final action came in stoppage time when Fondop headed Pett’s free kick over the bar with keeper Sims closing him down, the game finished as a stalemate.

Mellon reflected on a frustrating afternoon for Latics.

“I don’t think we showed enough quality and moments to create chances. After I introduced Norwood and Pritchard, we looked a wee bit closer to what we are,” he said.

"But you have to give them (Sutton) a bit of credit.

"They defended their box really well and they quite clearly came determined they were going to leave with something.

“From our point of view, we have to show more quality in forward areas and we weren’t able to get it all together today.”

Latics are next in action on Tuesday night when they host Maidenhead United for their third successive home game.

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