Huddersfield Town 1 Oldham Athletic 1

Last updated : 03 January 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Huddersfield Town's Michael Collins maintained his knack of scoring vital goals to prevent Oldham Athletic from stealing a march in the play-off race.

With all the other League One games postponed, the Latics hoped to cement their play-off place.

It all started so well when midfielder Mark Allott gave them an early lead with a thunderbolt finish.

But, with 13-goal top scorer Lee Hughes well marshalled, Oldham failed to capitalise and left boss John Sheridan disappointed.

Collins levelled midway through the second half and Oldham were forced to hold on to stretch their unbeaten run to nine matches.

The visitors went ahead in the sixth minute with a brilliant 25-yard volley from Allott after Jim Goodwin headed out a corner.

A minute before Huddersfield thought they had broken the deadlock, but Keigan Parker's close-range finish was wiped out for offside.

Huddersfield also had chances for Goodwin and Collins, before Phil Jevons sent a diving header just wide.

Five minutes before the break Parker was denied again with a good save from Greg Fleming.

In the second half Huddersfield took control and Jevons went close again with a flying header just past the upright.

Hughes, said to be a transfer window target for Doncaster Rovers, had his first effort on goal but his turn and shot proved fruitless.

Collins levelled in the 67th minute from Parker's ball through and his finish was a classy one over Fleming.

Andy Butler went close to winning it for Huddersfield late on, but Fleming was again his equal.

Hughes was virtually marked out of the game, but did find space three minutes from time and should have at least hit the target, but instead he put the ball over the top.