Milton Keynes Dons FC 1 Oldham Athletic 1

Last updated : 02 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Gareth Edds' late equaliser against Ronnie Moore's rejuvenated Oldham extended MK Dons' unbeaten run to 11 games at the National Hockey Stadium.

A dogged defensive display looked set to hand the Lactics the points after Luke Beckett's early goal before Edds scrambled home an 84th minute equaliser for the home side.

Oldham were quick out of the blocks and opened the scoring after only five minutes from the first real attack of the game.

Mark Hughes played a delightful defence splitting pass through to Beckett who scuffed his shot past goalkeeper Matt Baker into the far corner of the net.

The Dons fought back and after Edds' 20-yard strike was deflected just over, Izale McLeod was prevented from scoring by Stefan Stam's last ditch block.

McLeod thought he had scored when he converted the resulting corner from Dean Lewington but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Then Clive Platt headed straight into the grateful arms of Oldham goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall from Leon Crooks' excellent cross.

At the other end, Beckett should have extended the visitor's lead seven minutes before the break when he rounded Baker from Neil Kilkenny's through ball but he fired wide from a tight angle.

MK Dons continued to probe Oldham's well drilled rearguard with Ben Harding twice going close from long range before Lewington's last ditch challenge prevented Kilkenny doubling the visitor's lead.

Substitute Gary Smith had his fierce 25-yard strike turned around the post by Mildenhall before Edds ended the home crowd's frustration seven minutes from time.

Smith's cross from the left caused panic in the Oldham box and Edds was left unmarked three yards out to turn in his third goal in six matches.