Manny Monthe’s thunderous strike salvaged a point for the Latics in a hard-fought draw against AFC Fylde at Boundary Park.
The central defender unleashed a powerful shot from distance in the 61st minute, leveling the score after Joe Riley’s stunning first-half goal had given Fylde the lead.
Oldham Athletic dominated the second half, piling on the pressure but ultimately failing to find a winning goal.
Despite the draw, Micky Mellon can take heart from his team’s performance, which continues to show improvement.
With seven points from their first three games, the side are off to a solid start.
Mellon made three changes to his lineup for this match, with captain Tom Conlon sidelined by illness and replaced by Josh Lundstram. Jake Caprice and Josh Kay also made their full debuts.
Latics began brightly, with Mike Fondop’s header from a Dan Gardner free-kick saved by Ben Winterbottom.
Shaun Hobson’s cross narrowly missed Caprice, and Hobson later headed wide from a Gardner corner.
Jes Uchegbulam caused problems down the left but couldn’t break through, and Fondop fired over as Latics pressed.
Fylde took the lead nine minutes before halftime with a spectacular long-range effort from Riley, breaking Latics’ defensive record for the season.
Monthe and Fondop continued to push forward, but it was Fylde who went into the break ahead.
Latics started the second half on the front foot, with a Lundstram shot going just wide. Monthe’s equalizer came after he drove forward and unleashed a curling low shot into the bottom corner, leaving Winterbottom with no chance.
The hosts finished strongly, with Hudson making a crucial fingertip save to deny Corey Whelan’s header.
Fondop had another shot saved by Winterbottom, who also gathered a dangerous Gardner free-kick.
Mickey Mellon said he was pleased with the showing and that there were a lot of positives to take away from the game, especially in the second-half.
In the end, Latics had to settle for a point, but their performance showed promise for the season ahead.
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