IT’S A TALE OF THE TWO KEEPERS IN STALEMATE

OLDHAM Athletic’s playoff hopes are left hanging by a thread after they were held to a goalless draw by relegated Oxford City in a rather dour affair at the RAW Charging Stadium.

But it could have been worse for Micky Mellon’s men, who had goalkeeper Matt Hudson to thank for a string of second half saves to deny the Hoops a famous win.

The Latics might have nicked it too, however, with Hudson’s opposite number Tom Watson also producing heroics, while James Norwood hit the bar.

City boss Ross Jenkins said: “There were a lot of positives to take away today. We’ve demonstrated that we can compete with the biggest sides in the league, and Oldham are one of the biggest.”

Oldham started the better and kept the Hoops pressed into their own half but were unable to test the City goal

Oxford, however, looked dangerous on the break, and Harvey Greenslade broke free in the fourth minute but his shot on the angle was high and wide.

The home defence made it hard for their visitors to get shots away but when Liam Hogan finally had an effort for the visitors on 20 minutes it went flying over.

City perhaps should have taken the lead right on the stroke of half-time when Harvey Greenslade was found in the centre but his stab goalwards was straight at Hudson.

The second period saw the Hoops come out more expansive, and it was somewhat roles reversed from the first half. But despite plenty of the ball, the hosts were unable to turn many of their bursts forwards into clear chances.

This changed after the hour when Reece Fleet curled an effort on his left foot that required Hudson to get across and stop. And he was in action again a minute later when Greenslade’s shot from the six-yard box deflected goalwards, with a fine reaction save keeping the score goalless.

But with the game opening up, this saw Oldham create chances as well, with Norwood looking a threat. With three goals in his previous three games against the Hoops, when he cut in from the right and shot on his left foot, he looked destined to keep up his goal-a-game record, only to see the effort cannon off the post, and fired the rebound over the bar.

The good spell for the visitors continued when Dan Gardner’s fierce shot across goal was superbly tipped behind by Watson for a corner.

City regained control and heading into the final 10 minutes looked most likely to grab a winner with Josh Ashby the dangerman. His curling shot from the edge of the box looked destined for the top right corner, but Hudson got across quickly to tip behind for a corne.

Hudson was again the hero when Ashby’s freekick was dipping into the opposite corner but the Latics stopper again pulled off a fingertip save. STAR MAN: Matt Hudson (Oldham) ATT: 1,112 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Sam Mulhall