Shining lights

Photo: Alan Howarth

WHAT A BEAUTY . . . Billy Mckay is congratulated by fellow goal scorer Ryan Flynn as Athletic head towards victory in the FA Cup

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ATHLETIC have been challenged to continue playing to the strengths of the team's shining lights, after starting a big week with a bang.

Goals from Ryan Flynn and Billy Mckay helped see off Doncaster Rovers, putting the club into tonight's draw for round two of the FA Cup and netting £18,000 in prize money.

The dynamic duo linked well throughout, with Flynn teeing up Mckay for the second goal in a 2-1 win at SportsDirect.com Park that ended a run of back-to-back defeats. With a trip to face Blackburn Rovers' under-21s tomorrow night in the Checkatrade Trophy (7.30pm kick-off) followed by a vital home Sky Bet League One clash with AFC Wimbledon coming up, Athletic manager Stephen Robinson wants to see his side continuing to find a route to success by passing the ball through midfield.

"I have worked with Billy for a long time and he is a really good finisher," said Robinson, of the on-loan Wigan striker who is now on three goals for the campaign.

"We have tried to tweak his game so that he stays more central. He is a clever player who sees danger, so he can work 'too hard' which can be of detriment to his own game.

"He scored and could have had a couple. He had a terrific game and I'm delighted for him.

"When we pump balls forward we don't look a good team and sometimes with young players, that is an easy option. We have players like Ryan Flynn, Carl Winchester and Lee Erwin and Billy who are really good on the ball.

"Play to Flynn's strengths and he looks a good player - but boot balls up to him and he doesn't.

"He and Billy have a really good understanding and they are probably the cleverest players we have got. They have played at a higher level and thinking-wise are above this level at times."

Robinson had praise for Ollie Banks and Charles Dunne after that duo came in to the starting line-up and impressed, while as an early substitute for the injured Paul Green, Ousmane Fane also showed up strongly.

"Ollie Banks, for 70-odd minutes was very good," Robinson added. "We know what he can do passing-wise and said to him defensively that in central midfield you have to improve.

"He has done that and worked hard on it.

"We know what Ousmane Fane gives us defensively and have asked him to work on the other side of his game. Charles Dunne was good and I think he can get better when he gets up to match sharpness.

People have come in and given me food for thought."

Green (calf strain) and Winchester (hamstring) will be assessed today, as will Freddie Ladapo who took a knock to an ankle in training on Friday. Lee Croft (back) may also return to the fray, having only been able to fully train three times in the past three weeks.

"Blackburn is another important game for us," Robinson said. "We pick up the pieces and see what sort of team we put out.

"We knew it was a big week with two cup competitions and then a league game to get back on track.

"Hopefully the chairman is happy and he deserves some success."

THE draw for the FA Cup second round takes place live on BBC Two from around 7.10pm tonight. Athletic are ball number 28 in the draw.