Notts County 0 - 0 Oldham Athletic

Well, this afternoon's game will not go down in the annals any time soon, that's for sure. Notts County scraped yet another draw in League One, a third successive draw in fact, against an Oldham Athletic team that threatened virtually all afternoon.

Granted, we are in a better position this year than at the same stage last season, but there's only so many times we can scrape lucky draws against teams we should be beating before something gives.

The game started with the Magpies threatening first, as Ronan Murray was flagged offside after setting off too early on a run.

However, the pendulum swung Oldham's way thereafter, Dominic Poleon back-heeling the ball towards goal in the second minute, but Roy Carroll was able to save with ease.

On the quarter-hour mark, a good block by Louis Laing thwarted a powerful shot from Jonathan Forte after the ex-Magpie marauded into the box.

The game went through the motions in the first half, with the away side dominating proceedings, but failing to do much in the final third.

Likewise, the best effort by Notts was a speculative shot by Liam Noble from 25 yards midway through the first half, which fell kindly to Oldham goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.

Oldham ended the half on a high, captain Liam Kelly and Jones hitting shots wide in the closing minutes.

The second half picked up from where the first ended, Forte threatening to break the deadlock early on until he was stopped inside the penalty area by stand-in captain Haydn Hollis.

On 55 minutes, Mustapha Dumbuya sent a dangerous ball the way of Murray, but Rachubka was able to catch it out of the air just above the youngster's head.

Substitute Shaun Harrad almost made an immediate impact after coming on just after the hour, first lashing an overhead kick over the crossbar, then heading a ball towards goal that was saved by the Latics keeper.

Controversy reigned in the 78th minute when Harrad fell in the Oldham box, but the referee deemed it to be a dive and booked the comeback striker.

The game sparked into life somewhat in the late stages when Jake Cassidy almost put Ismail through on goal seven minutes later, but the visitors were able to clear.

Oldham then threatened to score right at the end, sub Danny Philliskirk heading over the bar from three yards.

Arguably the most agonising moment for Notts came in the third minute of injury time when Carroll had to tip a low shot from Connor Wilkinson past his left-hand post.