Relief as Latics take late win

Photo: -ALAN HOWARTH

TOTAL COMMITMENT . . . Carl Winchester shows the spirit and effort shown by Athletic’s players

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Swindon 1, Athletic 2
BOTTLES of water went flying in the dug-out as David Dunn applied the boot in frustration - but by the end Athletic’s manager was racing down the touchline in celebration.

Victory was claimed from the jaws of a crushingly disappointing draw after Danny Philliskirk arrived at the right time, in the right place, and with a clever finish.

Athletic deserved this one – and so did their manager, who was able to savour three points that should never have really been in question.

Swindon, on a run of seven losses in eight games before this, were mainly wretched here.

If Athletic can be criticised for anything, other than the rare defensive lapse which led to Nicky Ajose's 85th-minute goal, it was not sewing up the game earlier.

Mike Jones had handed the visitors the lead with a fine first-half finish and there were pleasing performances from men in blue shirts all over the field. Cameron Dummigan looked the part working in tandem with Philliskirk down the right; Brian Wilson barely put a foot wrong at centre back for the suspended Jonathan Burn and Liam Kelly had a stranglehold on midfield.

Athletic could and probably should have scored more.

David Cornell dropped a regulation cross to provide some excitement by way of a goalmouth scramble, but as Athletic found their passing rhythm Swindon were caught time and again in possession all over the pitch.

Fulton went close with a cross-shot before Jones's first goal of the season arrived, after a clever Winchester flick on the turn, taking the ball out of his feet and planting a well-struck shot across Vigouroux and into the far left corner of his goal. Philliskirk then fizzed one narrowly wide with his left foot and by half-time, Athletic were comfortably in control.

Adam El-Abd blocked a Michael Higdon shot, and a Jones corner that was sneaking in forced Vigouroux into a smart save under his crossbar.

Dummigan's clever run and pass provided Higdon with a sight at goal, the home 'keeper stopping well and Raphael Branco clearing off the line as the ball looped towards the net.

But there was the nagging feeling that Dunn's men may end up regretting not making their supremacy count.

Then came the Swindon goal. Typical Latics, perhaps? Not a bit of it.

Fired by injustice, Daniel Lafferty raided down the left and when his centre bounced off a defender and towards the danger zone, Philliskirk nipped in front of his marker to flick home with the outside of his right foot.

It was a neat finish. Athletic saw out the game without further worries and Dunn, at long last, was able to celebrate just desserts.