Oldham Athletic dropped two points after a late Doncaster Rovers comeback at the end of a busy week for the Latics.
Jabo Ibehre and George Elokobi put Oldham in front, but after Joseph Mills saw red with fifteen minutes remaining Rovers clawed their way back with goals from Nathan Tyson and James Coppinger.
Manager Lee Johnson was of course dissatisfied with the result, but was pleased with the character his side showed in the face of continued media scrutiny.
“I’m disappointed, of course, because it feels like two points dropped. I do think that it was important it was a club day today and everything about us showed that we were united as a club,” he said.
“You never really rest on your laurels and make sure you close it out, which we didn’t. There were a few disappointing aspects of seeing the goals we conceded but we have stopped the rot if you like. We have to look for positives on a day like this and there were many.
“I would say it was even-steven in the first half but we scored the goal on the break. It was a great finish by Jabo and I was delighted for him because it is really important for him to get the goal for all his hard work and I was glad he got man of the match.
“The club and fans really stuck together and we were undone by something that is not football. We continue now and look to kick on.”
The Latics had been in the spotlight this week for considering signing convicted rapist Evans, and their mixed response from their fans to the decision not to give him a contract.
Isolated chants of “one Ched Evans” and “sign him up” were met with boos from others in the Boundary Park crowd.
A banner was also unfurled prior to kick off among the crowd of 4,181 which read “70,000 where are you”, referring to the number of people who signed a petition urging Oldham chairman Simon Corney not to sign Evans.
“I am a football manager and I have had to prepare my team,” said Johnson.
“The people who have come out with fantastic credit are the players and the office staff. It has been nice to be part of a team under siege and everyone stuck together”.
Main image courtesy of OAFC Official via YouTube, with thanks.
