Oldham wasted a hatful of chances to take three points in a fiery encounter with struggling Port Vale.
The Latics couldn't add to an opening goal by veteran wide man David Eyres and look ever more likely to finish in a play-off spot rather than the top two.
Vale defended with great spirit but their manager Brian Horton admitted a bit of luck was needed to hold on.
Horton said: "Oldham dominated for long spells and will feel that they should have won. Having said that this was a tough place to come and I'm pleased with the point." Vale earned their draw through left wing-back Michael Cummins who was playing his first game of the year after undergoing surgery. And Horton added: "He had only played 45 minutes in the reserves so it took great character to get through a full game.
"Michael worked extremely hard to help us take a hard earned point, the second we have got from Oldham this season." Home manager Iain Dowie was left frustrated with his side's lack of finishing power. Dowie said: "How some of those shots and headers failed to hit the net I will never know. Our finishing wasn't perfect but we had no luck at all.
"I'm very disappointed in that respect but I can't complain about the performance and I haven't given up hope of automatic promotion, although we probably need six wins out of six from now on." Oldham had a penalty shout for what appeared to be a clear push by Matt Carragher on Wayne Andrews, but they lost goalkeeper Les Pogliacomi to a back injury after 25 minutes.
It was a potential blow but they responded in ideal style three minutes later when a Josh Low corner was headed in at the back post by Eyres.
Vale themselves showed defiant spirit to level after 35 minutes as a rebound fell to Cummins, who drilled home from 12 yards and marked his comeback in style.
From then on, it was nearly all Oldham. Fitz Hall hit the bar, Clyde Wijnhard saw a shot booted off the line and Vale keeper Dean Delaney made a string of fine saves.