ROB Hall’s first goal of the season could not spur Oxford United on to victory in a bad-tempered clash with ten-man Oldham Athletic at a sodden Kassam Stadium.

The winger’s fine finish early in the second half cancelled out Cameron Burgess’s early opener.

And when Ousmane Fane was sent off for two bookable offences in the 58th minute, the path looked clear for the hosts to go on and win the game.

But former U’s loanee Connor Ripley starred with several good saves to keep out his former side.

The bad feeling between the sides also spilled over on to the touchline, where Appleton and a Oldham's goalkeeper coach Carlo Nash were sent to the stands after a blazing row.

United continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages, but could not find a way through and had to settle for a point.

Alex MacDonald, Ryan Ledson and Chey Dunkley were recalled after missing the midweek trip to Southend United in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Ryan Taylor, Josh Ruffels and Aaron Martin made way, dropping to the bench.

Both sides contributed to a lively start, with Chris Maguire seeing two shots saved by Ripley after Oldham had won a corner after just 12 seconds.

Steady rain throughout the afternoon had made the pitch very wet and it may have played a role in Oldham’s goal, in the tenth minute.

Dunkley received the ball just outside his box, but with no teammate available he opted to bring the ball out himself. A loose touch on the playing surface saw the ball squirm out of his control, leading to the centre back diving in on Ryan McLaughlin.

It was a cheap free-kick to concede 40 yards out – and United paid the price.

Goalkeeper Simon Eastwood came and missed Ollie Banks’s delivery, which eventually fell for Burgess to tap into the empty net from six yards.

The Oldham centre back appeared to be in an offside position, but it was was unclear whether the ball had reached him via a United player.

It was a very preventable goal from the home side’s perspective and gave the struggling Latics something to defend.

They were happy to put men behind the ball, forcing United to look long, where Peter Clarke invariably won the aerial battle with Kane Hemmings.

While the hosts became frustrated on the pitch, there was a commotion in the East Stand which ended with all the banners behind the goal being taken down.

United’s search for a way back into the game continued, although despite winning a flurry of corners they struggled to create chances.

Oldham hardly threatened, but five minutes before the break a precise pass found Banks in the box and his dragged shot was just out of Billy McKay’s reach.

The hosts began to use the ball better late in the half, causing Oldham problems.

Hall just failed to connect with a devilish low cross from Johnson, who was proving effective as a left back, while Ripley did well to hang on to a Maguire free-kick just before the break.

While they trailed, the hosts had found the formula to unlock the Latics.

United just needed a flash of quality – and it arrived nine minutes after the restart when Hall fired a shot dead straight into the far corner from 20 yards.

The hosts had their tails up and the momentum swung towards them even more just before the hour mark.

Johnson was too quick for Fane out wide, luring a mis-timed tackle which earned the midfielder a second booking of the afternoon.

The Latics had half an hour to survive with ten men and for a few minutes it looked like the game would boil over.

Banks chopped Hall down with a rash challenge which saw the winger, just back from seven months out injured, jump to his feet and push the midfielder over. Both players were booked.

When the game settled down, United did not have trouble forging chances.

But Ripley, who had one unhappy game on loan with the U’s in 2012, stood up to the onslaught.

The goalkeeper kept out efforts by Maguire, Johnson and Dunkley as Oldham hung on grimly.

With ten minutes remaining tempers raged on the touchline as Appleton had to be restrained in a row with Oldham boss Stephen Robinson.

The U’s head coach, normally so reserved in his technical area, was sent off, along with Nash.

In Appleton’s absence his side continued to pour forward, spurred on by the addition of seven extra minutes.

Maguire had a big shout for a penalty turned down as Oldham clung on to a point.

Oxford Utd: Eastwood, Edwards, Nelson, Dunkley, Johnson, MacDonald (Ruffels 69), Lundstram, Ledson, Hall (T Roberts 83), Maguire, Hemmings (Taylor 90).

Unused subs: Buchel, Raglan, Martin, Rothwell.

Oldham Ath: Ripley, Law, Burgess, Clarke, Dunne, Flynn (Croft 68), Banks, Clarke, Green, McLaughlin (Wilson 85), McKay (Erwin 52).

Unused subs: Kettings, Dummigan, Osei, King.

Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon).

Attendance: 7,430 (449 visitors).