Cheltenham miss chance to go top after being held at Oldham

Posted Sunday, October 06, 2019 by PA

Cheltenham missed the chance to go top of League Two as they were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Oldham.

The Robins needed Ryan Broom’s clinical 71st-minute finish to rescue a point after they fell behind to an early goal from Oldham veteran Filipe Morais.

A draw left the visitors in fifth, two points off leaders and Gloucestershire rivals Forest Green.

Cheltenham almost struck first, but Alex Addai was unable to force home the rebound after Latics goalkeeper Zeus de la Paz saved Broom’s low drive.

Instead it was the hosts who led after nine minutes when Morais raced on to Jonny Smith’s perfectly weighted through-ball and calmly slotted in from 18 yards.

The match burst into life after half-time as Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Flinders pulled off two smart saves from Desire Segbe Azankpo before also denying Mohamed Maouche.

Cheltenham’s Conor Thomas saw his goalbound effort cleared by David Wheater, while Ben Tozer was inches from equalising from the edge of the area.

The visitors built a spell of pressure and were rewarded when substitute Jonte Smith crossed from the right and Broom scored with a powerful first-time volley.

Chris Hussey forced an excellent save from De La Paz and both sides were guilty of wasteful finishing in a hectic finale.