Two sides fighting in the lower parts of League Two fought out and entertaining 1-1 draw, with the hosts unfortunate to not snatch all three points.

Oldham’s attack was bolstered in the week by the highly coveted Danny Rowe and he looked to immediately make an impact. He went close in the second minute when he turned past his defender on the edge of the penalty area and dragged a shot wide.

A few minutes later, Azankpo had the ball in the back of the net. A smart pass from Rowe released the Benin international who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The linesman had his flag up, though. This moment was symptomatic of an Oldham side playing with confidence. Indeed the hosts looked strong in the first half, but they weren’t making the most of Rowe and, as such, weren’t creating enough clinical chances.

Like so many times this season, this dominance was wasted when Carlisle took the lead in the 23rd minute. The Cumbrian’s corner wasn’t cleared well and they immediately hit back through Thomas, whose cross was headed in at the near post by Webster.

Oldham tried to hit back and Piergianni headed just wide five minutes later. Rowe, too, was trying to make himself a nuisance and some nice touches by the new signing at times made things tricky for the Carlisle defence.

In the 42nd minute, the hosts got a deserved equaliser. Johnny Smith picked up the ball out wide and cut inside. He hit a strong shot that beat Collin in the Carlisle net; a deflection aided Smith on this occasion. It was 1-1 at half-time.

The second half began with a good attempt by Hope, who hit a strong shot from long distance. This forced an impressive save from De La Paz in the Oldham goal.

Down the other end, Rowe and Wilson were trying to form a partnership but things weren’t quite clicking between the two. Perhaps more time together on the training pitch will benefit the two players.

Carlisle had often looked dangerous on the attack, with Thomas and McKirdy creating some dangerous chances for United. If they had brought their shooting boots, they could have given the lead when McKirdy received the ball inside the box in the 62nd minute. His attempt was blasted well over the bar.

Oldham went very close in the 80th minute. Mohammed Sylla did well to hold onto possession and put a low cross into Dearnley who managed to get a touch on the ball but couldn’t quite direct it towards goal. This was the last meaningful chance of the game and it petered out for a 1-1 draw.

Oldham Athletic 1-1 Carlisle United.

Attendance: 3977 (573 away).

Oldham Athletic Starting XI: De La Paz, Hamer, Wheater, Piergianni, Mills, Missilou (66’ Sylla), N’Guessan, Smith, Maouche, Azankpo (31’ Wilson, 72’ Dearnley).

Subs: Allen, Iacovitti, Wilson, Dearnley, Nepomuceno, Branger-Engone, Sylla.

Carlisle United Starting XI: Collin, Hayden, Thomas (89’ Loft), G. Jones, Hope, Scougall, McKirdy (86’ Charters), Watt (53’ Kayode), M. Jones, Webster, Hunt.

Subs: Gray, Iredale, Charters, Kayode, Loft, Sagaf, Anderton.

Referee: Rob Lewis.

words Chris Stringer, D3D4 Oldham Athletic correspondent