Oldham Athletic were denied a first league win at Fleetwood Town's Highbury stadium in 11 years by a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night. Substitute Kane Drummond had given the Latics a first-half lead, only for fellow replacement Ronan Coughlan to level for the hosts with just two minutes of normal time remaining.
This result leaves Micky Mellon's side fifth in League Two with seven points from their opening four matches. Their record shows two wins, one draw, and one loss, with a positive goal difference of four after scoring seven and conceding three. They sit just two points behind the early leaders, Bristol Rovers.
How did the match unfold?
The game began with Fleetwood applying early pressure. Lewis McCann came close to opening the scoring after just eight minutes, but his effort struck the post. Oldham goalkeeper Mathew Hudson was then called into action to deny Mark Helm. At the other end, Fleetwood keeper Jay Lynch spilled a shot from Calum Kavanagh, but the home defence cleared the danger. The breakthrough came from a poor defensive clearance by Fleetwood. The ball fell to Oldham's Kane Drummond, who made no mistake to put the visitors ahead. Mike Fondop later forced a save with a headed attempt on target in the 60th minute.
Why was the late goal so costly for Oldham?
Ronan Coughlan's 88th-minute strike was a significant blow for Oldham's ambitions. It robbed them of two extra points that would have lifted them higher in the standings. More historically, it extends a frustrating run for the club at this venue. The last time Oldham Athletic won a league match at Highbury was over a decade ago, making this a missed opportunity to end that long wait. The team's overall start to the season remains solid, but this felt like a victory that slipped away.
What does this mean for Oldham's early season form?
Despite the late disappointment, the point contributes to an unbeaten start on the road in the league this season. Oldham have now won one and drawn three of their first four League Two fixtures. Their defensive record is among the best in the division, having conceded only three goals. Manager Micky Mellon will want to build on this foundation as his team prepares for its next challenge. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our dedicated stats and fixtures pages.
The match was officiated by referee William Davis and reported by Sky Sports. Oldham's next fixture is at Boundary Park this Saturday.
