Bromley moved five points clear at the summit of League Two following a goalless draw against Oldham at the Copperjax Stadium.
A competitive encounter saw both teams struggle to carve out many clear-cut chances as Bromley’s Jesse Debrah nodded over in the first minute of injury time from Mitch Pinnock’s recycled cross.
The result meant that Bromley extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches and remained unbeaten at home in the league, as they now sat five points clear of second-placed Cambridge.
Oldham meanwhile stayed 14th in the table but moved to within 10 points of the last play-off spot.
With an opportunity to move seven points clear at the summit and preserve their unbeaten home record in the league this season, Bromley began on the front foot as Michael Cheek saw a shot and header denied in the opening eight minutes from crosses by Will Hondermarck and Mitch Pinnock respectively.
Oldham however have kept clean sheets in their last three matches and showed why they can’t be underestimated as Mike Fondop’s ninth-minute shot was blocked.
Bromley though continued to pile on the pressure as Pinnock saw shots blocked in the space of two minutes. shortly before Oldham’s Jake Caprice was substituted off due to injury with Will Sutton brought on in his place in an early change for the Latics.
Matthew Hudson kept the game goalless with his 29th minute save of Cheek’s header after Donervon Daniels had conceded a free-kick, having brought down Nicke Kabamba.
Fondop though continued to deliver Oldham’s biggest threat as just two minutes later, his left-footed shot was blocked.
Bromley however were dealt their own blow as their top goalscorer, Michael Cheek was forced off in the 41st minute due to injury, and his replacement – Ben Thompson fired wide seconds after he came onto the pitch.
Grant Smith meanwhile blocked Jack Stevens’ right-footed shot before both teams survived six additional minutes in a goalless first half.
Bromley manager, Andy Woodman substituted Ashley Charles for Carl Jenkinson at the break but it was Oldham who initially settled into the second half as Kane Drummond and Calum Kavanagh saw chances denied in the first 15 minutes of the restart.
Woodman’s Ravens soon grew into life shortly past the hour mark as Jude Arthurs saw a shot denied in the 68th minute, just before Thompson rifled wide whilst Carl Jenkinson a minute late saw a volley saved by Hudson.
Oldham however stood firm and nearly found the breakthrough goal in the 84th minute after a corner was punched away by Smith but recycled back into the box, yet Oli Hammond’s close-range strike was blocked by Smith who then gathered the ball after a brief ping-pong amongst Bromley players on the goal line.
Bromley in response almost got a winner themselves as Jesse Debrah saw a 90th-minute curled shot blocked, before two corners in quick succession were cleared although the second clearance was recycled back into the box but headed over by Debrah.
Oldham ultimately clung on for a fourth consecutive clean sheet whilst Bromley’s unbeaten run continued with their unbeaten home record in the fourth tier still intact.
What’s Next?
Bromley head to play-off chasing Grimsby in a tricky away game at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 7 March at Blundell Park.
Oldham meanwhile visit Tranmere at 3pm that same day in a mid-table clash.
Teams
Bromley: Grant Smith, Jesse Debrah, Omar Sowunmi, Idris Odutayo, Ashley Charles (Jenkinson 46′), Corey Whitely (Ilunga 64′), Will Hondermarck (Krauhaus 65′), Jude Arthurs, Mitch Pinnock, Nicke Kabamba, Michael Cheek (Thompson 41′)
Substitutes: Marcus Dinanga, Brooklyn Ilunga, Carl Jenkinson, Ben Krauhaus, Sam Long, Zech Medley, Ben Thompson
Oldham: Matthew Hudson, Jake Caprice (Sutton 19′), Donervon Daniels, Manny Monthe, Jamie Robson, Jack Stevens (Taylor 64′), Tom Pett, Ryan Woods, Kane Drummond, Mike Fondop, Calum Kavanagh (Hammond 77′)
Substitutes: Tom Donaghy, Kane Taylor, Joe Garner, Oli Hammond, Dynel Simeu, Kai Payne, Will Sutton
Referee – Ross Martin
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