Dream is alive and kicking

Photo: Alan Howarth

CENTRE OF ATTENTION . . . Ryan Flynn is mobbed by Lee Erwin (left) and Billy Mckay after putting Athletic in front

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THE FA Cup might have lost some of its lustre in recent years but after seeing this tie through in impressive fashion, Athletic fans can start to at least contemplate landing a dream date in two rounds' time.

It was never quite comfortable.

There was a sticky start, featuring the residue of back-to-back defeats, and a frantic ending of the sort this competition is famed for but in between, smart goals from Ryan Flynn and Billy Mckay and an at-times slick performance justified the club's presence in the pot for tonight's round two draw.

At what cost is unclear at this stage. Carl Winchester (hamstring) and Paul Green (calf) were hauled off inside the opening half-hour and severe cramp affected Ryan McLaughlin and recalled duo Ollie Banks and Charles Dunne during injury time at the end of the game.

Flynn was also struggling, ankles hacked black and blue as the visitors tried yet failed to contain the game's most influential attacking player. The former Sheffield United man, a semi-finalist in this competition with the Blades three seasons ago, slotted home with aplomb in the 45th minute, teed up Mckay for the second and went within inches of adding a third.

Liam Mandeville pulled a goal back for Doncaster in the fourth minute of additional time after he was hauled down by Cameron Burgess in the penalty area as Rovers belatedly asserted themselves, but Athletic held on.

Robinson made four changes to the starting team which lost 1-0 at Rochdale. Out went Jamie Reckord, Ousmane Fane, Flynn and the injured Freddie Ladapo and in that quartet's place came Dunne, Banks,Winchester and Mckay.

Doncaster were much-changed themselves. Third in Sky Bet League Two, boss Darren Ferguson switched eight players - skipper Andy Butler and former Athletic left-back Cedric Evina were on the bench - in what was the third FA Cup meeting between these sides in five seasons.

Winchester started brightly, but was forced off the field after only nine minutes through injury, meaning Flynn replaced him on the left side of midfield.

CHANCE

Doncaster were the more coherent side initially, but the first chance fell to Robinson's side.

Lee Erwin couldn't quite believe he failed to connect properly as he swung a right leg at one of a steady stream of telling crosses from McLaughlin, but from only six yards out in the 15th minute and unmarked, he failed to make it count.

Athletic grew into the contest and even though Green was next to fall victim to the injury curse, replaced by Fane, who went on to have a very solid game, Robinson's side remained on the front foot.

Erwin stung the palms of Marosi, diving to his left, with a strike from the edge of the area after being teed up by Mckay and then, in the first added minute of added time, Flynn struck.

The initial cross from Banks appeared to be a simple one for Marosi to collect. But instead, a defender in front of the goalkeeper hurriedly cleared back to the ex-Chesterfield midfield man, who calibrated his delivery towards Peter Clarke at the far post.

The centre-back stooped to nod back across goal and from close range, Flynn's first touch was as assured as his finish, stroked home low for his third goal of the season.

John Marquis forced Connor Ripley into a low save to his left as the second half opened, but Athletic were soon two up.

Flynn stole the ball off the toe of Mathieu Baudry to break free. He slipped in Mckay down the left side of the box, with the on-loan Wigan striker's third goal of the season a very well-taken one that was hit first-time across and under the goalkeeper with his left foot.

Erwin tested Marosi's reactions from a tight angle and at the other end, a fleeting break from Matty Blair ended with him pulling his effort a few years wide.

Flynn broke free down the left in the 79th minute, but was unable to quite wrap his right foot around the shot enough to bend it inside the far post.

Evina hit a shot that Ripley palmed away as Doncaster pressed, but even though Mandeville converted his penalty, Athletic were able to hold firm.

Doncaster came into this game barely underdogs, given the relative lack of difference in quality between the top of League Two and the lower reaches of League One.

POCKETED

Thankfully for Athletic, though, they were a class above on the day.

With £18,000 already pocketed in prize money and another £10,000 available in the event of a win against a young Blackburn side tomorrow, every little helps the creaking coffers in the lead-up to what will be a vital transfer window in terms of re-shaping the squad for the season still to come.

IN A NUTSHELL: Athletic were worthy winners and can look forward to round two.