SCOUTS from Premiership clubs swelled the crowd at Adams Park on Saturday to watch £2million-rated Oldham player Fitz Hall in action.

The former Chesham United player helped hold Wanderers to a 2-2 draw when he headed on for Tony Carss to salvage a late equaliser.

Team-mate Wayne Andrews, who also used to play for Chesham, said: "It was ironic. All through the afternoon the crowd had been chanting 'Chesham Rejects' at us. But we had the last laugh."

Scouts were present from Premiership Spurs, Manchester City and Chelsea as well as first division front-runners Sheffield United and Leicester City. There was also a healthy contingent from Chesham who could bank £200,000 in a sell-on clause if Hall moves onto the Premiership.

Andrews, who got a dream free transfer from Chesham to Boundary Park last summer, is convinced his room-mate will make it big.

He said: "Fitz will get his move to the Premiership. I am sure about that. He has been excellent for us this season."

But Andrews' own appearance back in Bucks was cut short. After claiming the opening goal and troubling Wanderers with his pace, he was stopped in his tracks by a challenge from Blues captain Keith Ryan, who caught him on the ankle just before the hour mark.

Andrews said: "I was really disappointed having to come off. I'd scored one and felt I could score more. I just hope I'm not going to be out too long."

Andrews' and Hall's contributions, since they were plucked from Ryman League obscurity by former Chesham boss Bob Dowie's brother Iain, have helped the Latics drive up the second division table.

But the Latics' championship push was stopped in its tracks as Wanderers came back from a goal down to the brink of victory before Oldham salvaged a point.

January 21, 2003 10:30