Super subs!

IN FRONT: Cameron Burgess (second left) is mobbed by his team-mates after putting Athletic in front at the Banks's Stadium last night.

STEPHEN Robinson credited an injection of energy at half-time as providing the boost Athletic needed to make it into the next stage of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Goals from substitute pair Lee Croft and Lee Erwin, either side of a Cameron Burgess header, turned around a 1-0 deficit at Walsall and landed a date next year at Mansfield in the competition's last 16.

Croft and Carl Winchester came on at the start of the second period at the Banks's Stadium to help spur the fightback and earn the club £20,000 in prize money thanks to an impressive 3-1 win.

While many have questioned the value of a poorly attended competition that this year features sides made up mainly of under-21s players from clubs with top-grade academies, Robinson named a strong side and made his feelings clear on his ambitions.

"We want to win the competition - it's as simple as that," said Athletic's manager.

"So we put a strong side out. I made changes at half-time as both Ryans, Flynn and McLaughlin, worked their socks off at Oxford and again here and they have been ill as well, so we needed to protect them a bit.

"The boys who came on were terrific.

"We changed shape, bringing Crofty in narrow and putting Carl in behind the two strikers - which is his best position.

"They both did well and it nullified their threat and we were braver in the full-back areas to press them earlier.

"In the first half, we looked leggy. We didn't play particularly well off the ball in the first half. We did ok on it and created chances we should have scored from.

"We looked tired after Oxford and with tired minds as well. In possession, we didn't press them as we should have.

"In the second half it was much better and we could have won by more.

"We showed that energy and the players that came on made a big difference."

Athletic now focus on the visit of Southend, unbeaten in their last six outings over 90 minutes, on Saturday.

Paul Green will return to the side for that game after being rested last night, taking the place of Ousmane Fane who now serves a two-match ban.

"We have played a lot better than that, on and off the ball, but if you end up taking your chances then you win games," Robinson added.

"It is all about rest and recuperation now. Southend are a test and they have been doing well of late.

"But we are confident that if we play to our capabilities, we can beat anyone."