Baxter bags Blades a point

Goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jose Baxter ensured the honours finished even at 1-1 between Sheffield United and Oldham.

Clarke-Harris fired Oldham ahead during the early exchanges before Baxter, who left the Latics earlier this year, equalised with a spectacular set-piece against his old club. Chris Porter and substitute Ryan Flynn both went close to claiming maximum points for United, now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, at the death but neither could muster a decisive touch. Clarke-Harris, a summer signing from League One rivals Peterborough, ensured Oldham's afternoon got off to the best possible start when he headed home Adam Rooney's centre with only six minutes on the clock. A comedy of errors, which saw both Harry Maguire and Shaun Miller squander possession, contributed to the hosts' early demise but the Latics' centre-forward took his chance in clinical fashion by stooping to convert from close range. United's afternoon went from bad to worse when Aidy White, whose loan from Leeds is scheduled to expire next month, hobbled off injured while only an assistant referee's flag denied Clarke-Harris a second of the contest after George Long could only parry Korey Smith's long-range effort. Porter, like Baxter a former Oldham player, enjoyed two good opportunities as United finally discovered their rhythm towards the end of the first half. But it was Baxter who dragged the hosts back on level terms soon after the re-start with a thunderous 30 yard free-kick following Genseric Kusunga's foul on Porter. Only the width of a post prevented Baxter from snatching what would have been a dramatic late winner while Porter was also agonisingly close to prodding home as the loose ball bounced around the penalty area seconds before the final whistle.