Colchester United 0 - 0 Oldham Athletic AFC : Latics hold U's to stalemate

Oldham continued their unbeaten start to the new Sky Bet League One season by playing out a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Colchester.

Sammie Szmodics hit the post for the U's in the second period but Latics held on to make it two draws and a win from Darren Kelly's first three league games in charge.

Colchester forward Gavin Massey dragged a shot across the face of goal and wide in the opening minutes. But Oldham improved as the half wore on and Jonathan Forte tested U's goalkeeper Elliot Parish at his near post with a fierce shot.

Parish had to palm away Latics skipper Liam Kelly's long-range effort from underneath his own crossbar too as the visitors edged a poor first half.

Joe Edwards went close for Colchester with a dipping effort early in the second half and Darren Ambrose side-footed wide of the target from a good position from Macauley Bonne's cutback, soon after.

The U's came even closer when Szmodics' sliding effort rattled the inside of the post. But, at the other end, Colchester keeper Parish made a superb double reflex save to somehow deny both Forte and Lee Croft from point-blank range as the spoils were shared.