Danny Wilson’s gamble to play defender Patrick Kanyuka in an unfamiliar central midfield role paid dividends for Swindon Town at Boundary Park. 

Kanyuka played a pivotal role in frustrating promotion-chasing Oldham by breaking up the play, winning a number of headers and retaining possession as Town picked up a useful point. 

Town were marginally the better side throughout the opening period and almost took the lead through efforts from striker Billy Paynter and on-loan defender Gordon Greer.

Oldham laboured in their bid to create chances and were lacklustre in front of a resolute Town throughout the first-half – but improved after the break.

John Sheridan’s side forced Town into long spells of defending and made goalkeeper Peter Brezovan pull off two breathtaking saves to keep the scores level.

The big Slovakian stopper first threw himself to his left to tip away a header from experienced marksman Lee Hughes as Oldham piled the pressure.

Brezovan then made another vital intervention by pawing a Lewis Alessandra shot around the post with four minutes remaining.

Town’s attacking instincts were somewhat blunted after the break - but Frenchman Hamdi Razak almost capped his debut with an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box after coming on as a second-half substitute.