Reuben Hazell put in a sterling performance with some fine last minute interventions which kept the visitors at bay. Darren Byfield had a much improved performance and put in plenty of leg work to frustrate the visitor's defence but he and fellow striker Lee Hughes couldn't just find the required finishing touch.
The Latics failed to covert their many chances into goals with some woeful corner kicks and also with the infuriating way with which they gave away possession, even from their own throw-ins. Hughes was guilty of one particular glaring miss when put through one on one with the keeper.
Carlisle came out with a vengeance in the second half and created some useful openings but they could not provide the cutting edge needed either. In the end, they probably deserved the point which they strove so hard to get.