Athletic ready to roll up their sleeves

Athletic manager Frankie Bunn

Frankie Bunn has dusted himself down following last night’s Checkatrade Trophy exit and is busy preparing for Saturday’s home League Two derby clash against Bury.

Two late goals condemned gaffer Bunn's ten-man Athletic to defeat at Rochdale, but already the focus is well and truly on the weekend and the visit of the in-form, newly-owned Shakers.

Bunn said: "I'm just disappointed we didn't come away with a positive result at Rochdale, even to get to penalties would have been a positive for me.

"I thought we started really well and then I thought we had an indifferent spell where we struggled to put our foot on the ball and put a few passes in.

"I thought we were going to regroup at half time, but the sending-off (of Mohamed Maouche) changed the game and that's another questionable decision.

"Then we were chasing the game and they got their second one and that's just us trying to get back into it.

"We've got to roll our sleeves up now.

“We've got a great game coming up on Saturday and we've got to make sure everyone is in good form and make sure everyone recovers well over the next few days."

Athletic remain unbeaten in their last five league games, while Ryan Lowe’s Bury are currently fourth in the League Two table.

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