Latics 2 Altrincham 2 The feelings of disappointment were mutual for both Oldham Athletic manager Micky Mellon and Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson, on reflection.

Twice the visitors found the lead in the first half with goals from Justin Amaluzor and Chris Conn-Clarke coming either side of a James Norwood equaliser, before a terrific Nathan Sheron strike salvaged a point for Latics in the closing stages.

It was a game that, for various reasons - not least some spurious officiating - could have gone either way. And it was one that got off to a lively start.

Latics should have been celebrating an early lead after a saved Devarn Green strike fell to Hallam Hope, but the striker who had been so wonderfully clinical against Rochdale blasted over from eight yards.

It was one of misses Mellon had in mind when he suggested it could have been a different game, and certainly a different outcome.

But there were positives from the final score and not least the manner of it, having gone behind early in what was meant to be a case of bouncing back after faltering badly at Fylde in midweek.

But Hope's and other squandered early chances proved costly as Altrincham midfielder Conn-Clarke was allowed to wander forward down the left, with Green failing to put him under any real pressure, before putting in a chipped cross. Amaluzor beat Harrison McGahey, who had started at centre half in place of suspended captain Liam Hogan, and headed in from close range for his fourth goal of the campaign.

On the half-hour mark, though, Oldham got a deserved equaliser through a nice one-two between right back Kieron Freeman and striker Norwood. The former Tranmere man took a touch from eight yards and blasted a fine finish into the roof of the net.

Despite being in the ascendancy, Latics found themselves behind in controversial circumstances just five minutes later. Hope appeared to win the ball with a good tackle just inside the area, but referee Aaron Jackson pointed to the spot for an apparent handball. It was one of several strange calls the man in the middle made throughout the game.

The impressive Conn-Clarke showed no sympathy as he put the Robins back in front with a smart penalty, sending Mat Hudson the wrong way.

Altrincham defended deep after the break and Latics struggled to find a way through, not troubling Ethan Ross in the visitors' net until eventually wearing them down as the game wore on.

Having put a few passes together in the final third, Josh Lundstram set the ball for midfielder Sheron, who rifled a tremendous strike into the top corner from just outside the area.

Oldham (4-4-2): Hudson 5, Freeman 5, Hobson 6, McGahey 6, Kitching 5, Green 6, Lundstram 6, Sheron 7, Hope 6, Nuttall 4 (Reid 60 - 6), Norwood 6 Subs not used: Norman, Shelton, Fondop, Raglan Altrincham (5-4-1): Ross, Donawa, E Jones, Cooper, Baines, J Jones, Newby, Banks, Osborne, Conn-Clarke (Angus 68), Amaluzor Subs not used: Rosloe, Gould, Sithole, Burroughs Referee: Aaron Jackson Attendance: 7,137