Oldham salvage a draw at Salford City

Danny Rowe got off the Mark for Oldham as they secured a point away at local rivals Salford City with a 1-1 draw. 

Salford started the game with more intent than Oldham and immediately took control of the possession and the game. In the third minute, the hosts were almost in front as Adam Rooney sent a well-struck volley just past the post. 

The home side did make their good start count however as they were in front after just 14 minutes. Salford were awarded a penalty after Tom Hamer was adjudged to have brought down Rooney in the penalty area. Rooney stepped up only for Zeus de la Paz to save well but Brandon Thomas-Asante bundled the loose ball into the net. 

Shortly after Hamer nearly redeemed himself as he met Jonny Smith’s free-kick but he headed the ball just wide. 

In the second half, the Latics started quickly with smith going on a superb run down the right and he managed to squeeze an effort from a tight angle but Kyle Letheren saved comfortably. 

Craig Conway should’ve wrapped up the game for Salford as he was put clean through after some great play by Bruno Andrade. However, De La Paz flew out of his goal to pull off a fantastic save to keep the Ammies out. 

In the 83rd minute, the 1300 Oldham Fans were given something to cheer about as they were level. Substitute Zak Dearnley played Rowe clean through on goal and the striker kept his composure as he dribbled towards goal and blasting past the goalkeeper into the back of the net for his first ever Oldham goal. 

A big point for Oldham that leaves them in 20th place and 8 points above the relegation zone. 

After the game Oldham boss Dino Maamria said:

"It was there for the taking. We finished the game strongly, but we're not that team yet to sense those moments because if we were at that level we would've won that game.

"Having said that I thought we were really poor in the first half, we started the game really poorly and was against everything we prepared for.

"Then to give the referee a decision to make and give them the penalty, we knew it was going to be a big game and was going to be a sellout so it wasn't a very good start.

"That gave them momentum because when you come here you need to manage the environment, play in their half and try and capitalise on it.

"We had a moment before they scored the penalty where Maouche is on the edge of the box in a 1v1 and was disappointed with that one as he should've taken him on and got the shot away.

"That's the moments where we need to be better because when we get to that level, we score before they score and with that finish at the end as well we'd win it."