CHRISTIAN Doidge's return wasn't enough to inspire Forest Green to victory as they were held by Oldham Athletic. 

Rovers dominated the first half and struck the woodwork three times, Reece Brown twice with one shot, but a determined Oldham frustrated them as Rovers failed to score away from home for the first time since April in the league. 

Mark Cooper named an unchanged team for the fourth game running which meant the returning Christian Doidge had to settle for a place on the bench.

New signings Shawn McCoulsky and Junior Mondal also started on the bench. Forest Green almost got off to a perfect start.

Nathan McGinley's cross was hooked onto the bar by George Williams which was followed up by Tahvon Campbell whose header was cleared off the line by George Edmundson after just two minutes. Campbell and Williams both had further chances in the first 15 minutes as Rovers were in complete control early on.

Forest Green couldn't have come any closer if they tried on 19 minutes.

Reece Brown was put through after a delicious back-heel from Williams, he burst towards goal and his hit a post, rolled across goal and bounced off the other post.

There were huge appeals from the Rovers players who thought it crossed the line.

Oldham eventually grew into the game. Mohamed Maouche and Chris O'Grady had opportunities but failed to hit the target. That was as good as it got for the Latics in the first half as Rovers regained control.

The visitors had another glorious opportunity on 36 minutes when Brown slipped in a lovely ball through to Williams who tried to go round the keeper but Daniel Iversen closed the angle down well and blocked the Welshman's shot.

Oldham, inevitably, improved in the second half and put Rovers under a little bit of pressure. Gevaro Nepomuceno was their most threatening player, he forced a save out Montgomery.

Oldham's pressure forced a reaction out of Mark Cooper who made a double change on the hour mark.

Doidge returned to make his 100th Forest Green appearance.

Shawn McCoulsky also came on for his Rovers debut as Campbell and Williams were replaced.

The game became quite scrappy as the rain started to come down and neither side could get a strong foothold. Both keepers were tested in the final ten minutes.

McCoulsky's low arrowed shot was awkward for Iversen while Montgomery had to beat away Nepomuceno's long range strike before Jose Baxter fired one over. 

That was as close as anyone came in the second half and Rovers had to settle for a point. 

Forest Green drop to seventh but are still three points off the automatic promotion places.