Barrow 0
Oldham 0

Barrow suffered a frustrating shut out against the Football League’s bottom club in their final game of 2021.

Mark Cooper’s side fashioned a low key encounter’s best chances but were denied by Latics goalie, Jayson Leutwiler plus a goal line clearance.

And against opponents who had conceded eight goals in their previous two outings, the Bluebirds couldn’t find an all important winner to complete a league double.

Some boos at the final whistle told their own story.

Oldham played and competed better than their lowly status suggested prior to kick-off.

They created enough moments to worry home fans in an attendance of 3,495.

But while a first home league win over their visitors since 1968 eluded AFC, they retain a six-point cushion over their Greater Manchester rivals.

However, it’s two games without a goal and only one point to end the year for Cooper’s side, who remain 19th ahead of Bradford’s New Year’s Day visit.

After the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Tranmere, Cooper made three changes to his starting line-up, bringing back Patrick Brough and Matty Platt following positive Covid tests plus recalling Festus Arthur-for his first league start since September 18.

Those changes saw Mark Ellis drop to the bench with Connor Brown named as skipper following recent ownership of the armband by Ellis and Ollie Banks.

Oldham started as brightly as their changed orange shirts with Carl Piergianni and Jordan Clarke chancing their arm.

Paul Farman needed two bites at saving Davis Keillor-Dunn’s effort while another slick build-up saw Brown produce a vital block on Keillor-Dunn’s effort.

Barrow had 12th-minute penalty claims dismissed for Harrison McGahey’s challenge on Josh Gordon with the Barrow forward poised to shoot.

Oldham, though, continued to boss proceedings, with Keillor-Dunn always prominent.

Eventually Barrow retained possession long enough to create the game’s clearest opportunity.

The ball was worked left to right and Mike Jones thumped a 20-yarder that deflected on its way through to Leutwiler whose full-stretch save came at the expense of a corner.

Barrow now carried a greater threat and were denied a 31st minute opener by a goal line clearance.

Gotts’ superb right wing cross was met by Patrick Brough only for Piergianni to head away from under his own crossbar. Brough nodded the rebound wide.

Despite the chances, Barrow were second best for much of the half. So, there was little surprise at the interval change that saw Grayson-injured towards the end of the half-and Jones replaced by Josh Kay and Ozzy Zanzala.

Farman though was needed again at the start of the second period as Hope fired from the edge of the area.

Sam Hart’s rampaging run ended with a booking for Brown and a foul on Keillor-Dunn left the captain trying referee Ben Speedie’s patience.

Zanzala’s belated first involvement was a close range prodded effort as Barrow finally began to build pressure.

Leutwiler was at full stretch to keep out Gotts’ free kick while the same combination were in action again moments later with the same result.

Oldham still posed a threat and Hope, who played for more than an hour without a number on his shirt, curled a right foot chance just wide.

And Arthur, as last man, avoided what looked a blatant red card for bringing down Keillor-Dunn.

Both sides huffed and puffed in the remaining 15 minutes but lacked quality highlighted by Zanzala’s failed connection to a stoppage time chance.