Wootton late show thwarts the Latics
WHILE insisting he was happy with a point, John Sheridan could not hide his disappointment at seeing draw specialists Oldham Athletic concede a late goal at Scunthorpe.
Despite being on the back foot for most the of the match, the improving Latics, now unbeaten in six, were within two minutes of victory when Iron substitute Kyle Wootton drilled the hosts level, to cancel out Daniel Lafferty’s 78th-minute strike.
It was their 15th stalemate in 32 games this season – comfortably the highest in League One.
“I wouldn’t say we deserved to win the game, but we were in a great position to win it,” said Sheridan, whose side would have moved out of the bottom four with all three points.
“I didn’t think we were effective enough going forward, but Scunthorpe didn’t cause us many problems, I think they only had one chance.
“I think a draw was probably a fair result, so we can’t be too down.We were so close to getting three great points, which is a crying shame. It feels like we lost the game, but we’ll take a point.
“I didn’t think we were as much of a threat as we have been. But we’ve got a big month coming up and we’ve got to take our away performances into our home games.”
The opening 45 minutes was a battle of attrition, with Paddy Madden heading the best opening for either side into the ground and onto the bar. The second half was equally as hardfought, though Scunthorpe shaded possession, without being able to penetrate a resolute Oldham defence.
When the game opened up in the final quarter of an hour, the Latics drew first blood when Lafferty was wellpositioned to sweep a shot into the far corner following Carl Winchester’s ball in from the left.
It looked like being the winner, given the home side’s lack of spark in the final third, until Wootton, only introduced four minutes earlier, produced a composed finish from a tight angle to rescue a point for United in their first game under new boss Nick Daws.
“I’m delighted to get a point in the end, but disappointed we didn’t take our earlier chances to get ourselves in a winning position,” he said.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes. Sides don’t roll over and let you take three points – especially sides that are unbeaten in five games and looking to fight and scrap their way out of the relegation zone.
“Fair play to Oldham, but we need to be better in front of goal and we will be. But it was pleasing to get an equaliser. Kyle needs to work for his opportunity, but I’ve told him to keep doing what he’s been doing because I knew he could make an impact.”