Barnsley 1 Oldham Athletic 1

Last Updated : 17-Sep-2003 by The Chairman
The Latics ground out another well earned point against Barnsley, a team looking to head the table if a win could be earned against their Lancashire visitors. The Latics started the game brightly but Polgiacomi (pictured) kept the game even on the half hour when he tipped a goal bound effort over the bar. In the 40th. minute John Sheridan almost gave the Latics the lead but his powerful effort went just wide.

Lumsden put the home side ahead on the hour with a well taken goal but five minutes later Scott Vernon stunned the home supporters with a well worked goal when he fired home to the left of the home keeper. The Latics pushed for the winner but with two minutes left Barnsley were awarded a penalty which Gorre smashed against the bar, much to the delight of the Latics fans. Chris Killen almost broke the deadlock in injury time but the game ended with the points shared.


After the match a delighted Iain Dowie said, “I'm not sure we are quite getting what we deserve out of our play at the moment. I thought we played very, very well tonight. Paul Murray got in on numerous occasions and we had one or two scrambles but I remember Les (Pogliacomi) making a good save in the first half. Apart from that I can't remember too much. Then you think it's all going to be snatched away from you with a decision late in the game. Their goal shouldn't take too much away from our game but it was terrific. It was a wonder strike from Lumsdon. He hit it very well, then it hit the post and rattled in. No-one can save those. I thought our play for our goal was terrific. A great ball from John Eyre and it's good to see the front two linking up. I'm pleased for Scott. In training he's a very good finisher and he needed that goal. He's a clever footballer and he'll develop. I felt that for large periods of the game we dominated possession but they are a decent side and they're where they are because they've got good players. They've got themselves in front but our response was terrific."