Luton Town 1 Oldham Athletic 1

Last updated : 03 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Luton saw their promotion push continue to stutter as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Oldham at Kenilworth Road.

After a cagey opening 20 minutes Luton particularly, down the left hand side, began to cause the visitors all sorts of problems. First, Steve Robinson weaved his way past several defenders though his shot from an acute angle was well blocked by Latics keeper Leslie Pogliacomi.

Minutes later Ahmet Brkovic laid an inch perfect cross into the patch of Enoch Showunmi though the striker fired his shot straight at the keeper.

Still Luton pressed and it was Steve Howard's turn to test the keeper. First, shooting from 20 yards out before heading tamely from another Brkovic cross.

With all the chances from the home side it was therefore somewhat of a surprise when Oldham took the lead. From the first attack of the half, Dean Crowe's speculative cross come shot deceived Morten Hyldgaard and sailed into the far corner.

However, the lead wasn't to last long and a minute later the scores were level when Showunmi headed in Brkovic's cross for his eighth league goal of the season.

Despite getting back on level terms so soon after, half time came at the wrong time for the Hatters, who in the second period failed to reciprocate their attacking threat.

Indeed, only seconds into the half Oldham could have found themselves back in front though from Keith Keane's poor header Ernest Cooksey could only volley straight at Hyldgaard.

As the half materialised the home support grew more and more restless and only Showunmi's long, bursting run covering over half the pitch which resulted in a shot comfortably saved, gave the home crowd any hope.

Furthermore, as they pushed more men forward, Oldham looked increasingly threatening on the counter attack and had a golden chance to forge in front. Quick feet from substitute Jermaine Johnson saw him evade two defenders and he unselfishly passed to Crowe, who pulled his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

Showunmi had another chance late on to snatch the win though he fired wide as both sides had to settle for a point apiece.