Micky Mellon said Oldham Athletic just lacked a moment of magic to break their winless cycle.

Latics took an early lead through Hallam Hope's expert finish from Josh Lundstram's lay-off in the seventh minute, but they again came unstuck from a set piece as Sam Mather cancelled it out from a corner just before the half-hour.

Oldham dominated the second half but could not get the much-needed second goal, with Andrew Dallas closest to making the breakthrough only to be denied by the post.

The result means Latics have gone eight games without a win, with this the fifth draw in that frustrating run.

"We just couldn't find that moment of quality that would have been needed to get us that goal that in terms of territory in their half that we probably deserved," said Mellon.

"I thought we completely dominated the second half without finding that moment of quality or that bit of individual magic that might have been needed.

"The goal we gave away, from our point of view, is poor. Really, really poor. There were a lot of bodies around that to deal with it and we lose that. And that pretty much sums the game up.

"I never felt uncomfortable at any stage. Particularly in the second half I felt that we maybe needed something to unlock the door or someone to get into a good position to find that pass or unlock the door for us a bit but we just couldn't do that.

"They're the differences. When you're successful as a team you'll find that the cross at the end that Oli Hammond puts in you get on the end of. People get on the end of that and it goes in. They're the moments that are the difference between success and not. And the successful teams don't give away two set plays at home in the two weeks that we have. A ball at the near post that we should have dealt with."

But Mellon was pleased with Hope's goal - his first in the league since Boxing Day after a period out with a calf injury, and second in as many games against Rochdale.

"We pressed them well and turned them over really well. Josh showed really good composure and slipped it to Hallam and it was a really good finish," said Mellon, who of Dallas being denied by the post added: "I thought that was it. I was right behind that and I thought that was in.

"I just didn't see the game challenging us.

"We've been here before where I thought we might need more than just one more, but today, the whole second half I felt really comfortable and I thought 'if that goes in that's it'.

"It just fell the wrong side of the post for us so we were a wee bit unfortunate with that."