REFEREE Andy Woolmer provided the main talking points of a Pennine derby high on intensity but short on drama and genuine chances.

The Northamptonshire official baffled and frustrated the players, managers and supporters of both sides with a some of his decisions, and was booed off both at half and full-time.

There were seven cautions, five of them for fouls, yet worse-looking tackles failed to merit even ‘a talking to’.

And credit to Alan Lee, who was on the end of some hefty challenges and needed stitches in a head wound, yet stuck to his task and never appeared to seek any retribution.

Controversial decisions aside, a draw was a fair outcome, because both sides had spells in the ascendancy and the occasional opportunities to make a breakthrough.

Town had to take the sting out of Oldham’s early pressure, with defender Reuben Hazell heading wide from Aidan White’s cross and on-loan Sunderland striker Oumare Tounkara having a low angled shot held by Ian Bennett, who marked his 500th career appearance with an eighth clean sheet in 18 outings for Lee Clark’s side.

But the home side gradually got a grip on the game, and a piercing 14th-minute run by Scott Arfield – in for the illness-hit Joey Gudjonsson – set up Gary Roberts, only for the wideman to stub his shot.

Town skipper Peter Clarke made one of a string of key blocks to thwart Tounkara in the 19th minute, but Town responded strongly.

Lee Peltier, back in midfield, linked neatly with Anthony Pilkington, whose probing cross was hacked to safety.

Jamie McCombe headed narrowly over from a Pilkington free-kick.