The Latics came away from Belle Vue, their first visit since 1967, with a creditable draw. Betsy had a chance in the second minute but fired over. The first half was evenly balanced and the Latics took the lead in the 38th. minute through Jermain Johnson (pictured). JJ beat the off-side trap and struck a screacher from the edge of the box when he latch onto a Will Haining ball but Doncaster were back in it just before half time after a disputed penalty was awarded for hand ball from John Eyre. McIndoe sent Craig Mawson the wrong way.Doncaster Rovers 1 Oldham Athletic 1
The Latics came away from Belle Vue, their first visit since 1967, with a creditable draw. Betsy had a chance in the second minute but fired over. The first half was evenly balanced and the Latics took the lead in the 38th. minute through Jermain Johnson (pictured). JJ beat the off-side trap and struck a screacher from the edge of the box when he latch onto a Will Haining ball but Doncaster were back in it just before half time after a disputed penalty was awarded for hand ball from John Eyre. McIndoe sent Craig Mawson the wrong way.The second half was very scrappy but Fenton almost converted a rocket header from an early corner. JJ volleyed wide then Fenton looped another header just wide before Fortune West missed an easy chance. Late chances for the visitors fell to JJ and Chris Killen but the scoring was finished. Mawson did everything expected from him and had no chance with the penalty shot.
After the match, Brian Talbot said, “I suppose before the kick off I'd have settled for a draw but when the game's unfolded and how it's transpired, I think it's a little bit disappointing we haven't got three points. It was a harsh penalty in my opinion. It did hit his arm but it was just a clash and he was a yard away so he couldn't get out of the way. His arm was by his side, not raised, so that was a harsh decision.”
“Second half although they had more possession than us, we had the two best chances. No question and in the last three minutes JJ could have, and should have, scored. The good thing for us is that he's creating chances and scoring goals and I want the other striker to do that as well. Did anyone else have a chance today or a shot that looked like scoring? I've got to get two people doing that not just one. JJ is what he is, but he's on the score-sheet. I think that's his fourth League goal this season and he's doing fine. Chris (Killen) needs games and it's unfortunate. He's going to get them over the next two months but we need it immediately. To be honest, it was a battling performance. We showed a lot of determination. We dug in and it was pleasing at the end of the game to finish with 11 players and a point.”