Despite being clapped off the pitch by Preston North End fans for an impressive performance, Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson was left feeling disappointed after failing to claim victory.
First half goals from Stuart Beavon and Kevin Davies – a penalty which secured his first strike since leaving Bolton – gave Preston victory.
James Tarkowski gave the Latics a glimmer of hope with his headed goal in the 83rd minute but the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
Playing live on Sky Sports, Oldham dominated the hosts but had nothing to show despite winning plaudits for the way they played.
“It was the same old story as we dominated the game but lacked savvy,” Johnson told the club website.
“To have something like 19 chances away to a team like Preston shows how well we played, but we are stood here brave losers which is the tag we need to shake off very quickly as we need to win games.
“It is nice to be clapped off by their fans, but the fact is that we have dominated another game without coming away with three points.”
New signings Genseric Kusunga and Paul Rachubka were left on the bench but Charlie MacDonald and Cristian Montano were brought on to complete their return from injury.
After netting twice in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Danny Philliskirk made his Football League debut and had an effort cleared off the line leaving Johnson confused as to how his side left Deepdale empty handed.
“I’m not sure how we’ve not won the game. We’ve controlled the whole match, but for probably 15 minutes,” added Johnson.
“We’ve probably lost that game from not having the bravery to quite take our chances. We started really well, they’ve scored a goal out of nothing, we had a few chances and then one stupid mistake for the penalty and it’s 2-0 to them at the break.
“We’ve looked great, we’ve passed the ball brilliantly at times and if we can start taking our chances then I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Ahead of their maiden visit to Rotherham United’s New York Stadium on Saturday, the result leaves Athletic without a win at Deepdale since April 1981, two months before Johnson was born.
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, with thanks
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