An 87th-minute David Eyres goal earned Oldham a 1-1 draw against Cardiff at Ninian Park on Friday night.

The veteran midfielder's strike preserved the Latics' unbeaten away record in Division Two this season.

Jason Bowen had put Cardiff into the lead with 35 minutes gone, advancing as the Oldham defence stood off and shooting under David Miskelly.

However, the goalkeeper more than redeemed himself in the second half with a string of impressive saves.

Jason Bowen (L) gave Cardiff a deserved lead

Six minutes after the break, Rob Earnshaw had a shot cleared off the line, as the Wales striker seized on a sloppy back-pass.

Then, in quick succession, Miskelly had to dive to his left to push away an Earnshaw snap-shot, and tip a Peter Thorne header over the bar.

Cardiff bossed the midfield, with new loan signing Alan Mahon particularly impressive before he tired towards the end of the match.

No sooner had the Republic of Ireland international, beginnning his three-month move from Blackburn, been substituted along with Earnshaw, than Oldham struck.

But then the Cardiff defence went to sleep when it seemed all three points were in the bag.

Ben Burgess charged into the penalty area and although Neil Alexander pulled off a good save, the Cardiff stopper could do nothing about Eyres' follow-up.

The Bluebirds remain fourth in the table, while Oldham stay just a point ahead of them in third, although having played two games more.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Barker, Young, Croft, Mahon (Legg 85), Kavanagh, Boland, Bowen, Thorne, Earnshaw (Gordon 85). Subs Not Used: Prior, Bonner, Margetson.

Booked: Weston, Gordon.

Goals: Bowen 35.

Oldham: Miskelly, Murray, Hall, Haining, Beharall (Killen 69), Eyres, Armstrong, Duxbury (Carss 65), Darren Sheridan, Andrews, Burgess. Subs Not Used: Murphy, Boshell, Vernon.

Goals: Eyres 87.

Att: 12,579

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).