Chuffed to bits!

Photo: Alan Howarth

THAT SEALS IT: Ryan McLaughlin wheels away in celebration after doubling his side's lead.

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan said he could not have asked for any more on a night when the team lived up to expectations.

Unanswered second-half goals from Paul Green, from the penalty spot, and Ryan McLaughlin gave the majority of the 7,224 crowd plenty to cheer about in a deserved victory over Peterborough, making it back-to-back wins at SportsDirect.com Park since Sheridan's return.

And while not getting carried away, Sheridan reckons there is both fight and belief among his men that they can lift themselves out of the bottom four in Sky Bet League One.

"It was well deserved and we were excellent," said Sheridan, whose side remain second-bottom but only three points off Shrewsbury in 20th with a game in hand.

"Because of where we are in the division and the circumstances, I am chuffed to bits for the lads and for the supporters who haven't had too much to cheer about.

"I know it was free entry, but the crowd got right behind the team.

"I must admit, it did feel a bit like the old days when we used to get crowds like that quite often. I think they appreciated the way the players played against a very good team.

"They do outplay teams, but we competed well and played football when we had to.

"To get two goals and another clean sheet, I could not ask for more.

"I would not be here if I did not think we could get out of it. Go by tonight and there is a really good feeling you can get out of it.

"The atmosphere was really good and the performance gave them plenty to cheer about.

"We are going to lose games. But we fight for everything and if we play like we did here then we have a good chance of doing what we want to do.

"But there is a long, long way to go."

McLaughlin's strike to seal the points came after a second run-out of the season up front.

In doling out praise for an all-round team effort, Sheridan said he felt it was worth a punt to play him alongside the influential Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who played creator for the 82nd-minute striker.

"I had to try something different, as the lack of goals was obviously a problem and you need to score to win games," said Sheridan, who also had praise for Jamie Reckord on his return to the side.

"I tried something and it worked well. I am not frightened to change my team. It's not something I like doing, but if it gets us three points then it has worked out.

"When he is on his game, Aaron Amadi-Holloway can be unstoppable. He puts himself about and holds the ball up. That's what we did, holding the ball in the opposition half for longer periods than we have been doing.

"You can create problems by doing that and getting the opposition on the back foot.

"The midfield did really well as it can be difficult against a side like Peterborough with players interchanging positions. We kept our shape really well.

"They worked their socks off and there were some very good performances.

"The team did really well. Keep playing like that and we have got a good chance of winning those games we need to win."