Another point towards target

Photo: Alan Howarth

GET IN THERE . . . Lee Erwin scores for Latics in the early stages.

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DISAPPOINTMENT faced here will soon fade in the race to the line.

Athletic were not at their best at London Road and though they could easily have won, had Tope Obadeyi been able to accept one of his late chances, a point in the bag after a messy game full of errors should be seen as a decent reward.

STILTED

John Sheridan's side were stilted at London Road, unable to realise control of proceedings after Lee Erwin had provided an 11th-minute lead with as well-crafted and beautifully executed a goal as you will see at this level.

Connor Ripley twice came to the fore in the first half with extremely sharp saves, firstly from Michael Smith's angled drive that was finding the corner but for an extended right foot flicking the ball away; then, after Grant McCann's hosts had gone behind only to rally, from veteran striker Craig Mackail-Smith's turn and shot that he got down to to his left in order to slightly awkwardly push behind.

Passes went astray from the visitors and with the front two of Erwin and Aaron Amadi-Holloway unable to terrorise as they had four days earlier against Oxford, behind them Chris Taylor was a more peripheral figure.

Peterborough - hunting a first win in five outings - scented blood and attacked with purpose down the flanks.

And while under-par Athletic managed to ride out the storm to the break, the half-time introduction of the direct Marcus Maddison, who crossed on sight, and diminutive but powerful striker Junior Morias turned fortunes the hosts' way.

Port Vale's victory the night before had reduced the gap between the Valiants and Athletic to two points.

Had Morias not raced across marker Brian Wilson to power home a header in the 73rd minute, when a slightly weary Athletic could have been forgiven for looking and willing the clock to tick to 90, John Sheridan's side could now be sitting on 46 points with seven left to play.

As it is, the total is 44 and Vale have three games in hand. Small margins play big in the mind at this stage of a campaign.

PRECISION

Morias could have made it 2-1 when side-footing a later effort wide in going for precision, but at the other end as part of what remaining throughout a two-man strike force - Sheridan's feeling is that the difference between a point and three, compared to one and none, makes it sensible to stay positive - Obadeyi wasted two very presentable chances to out Athletic only four short of the half-century.

First, he raced down the left channel after Aiden O'Neill had played the ball into space only to lash at the shooting chance, the ball travelling high and wide only seconds after Morias had plundered his fifth goal of the season.

Then, after 85 minutes, the substitute spun his marker neatly and raced in on the target, but hesitated long enough for Michael Smith to get back and nudge him legally and prevent a clean shot on goal from 10 yards out.

In between those efforts, though, Posh twice went close themselves. Bradden Inman deftly curled a shot towards the far post that passed only a foot wide, while after neat work by Mackail-Smith, Morias side-footed wide from 15 yards out when he should have hit the target.

RESTORED

With Rob Hunt injured, Athletic started this game with O'Neill restored to the side and with Brian Wilson at left-back and Ryan McLaughlin on the opposite flank.

Ripley had to be alert to save superbly twice and Tom Nichols spun and volleyed over the top as McCann's men battled back, Mackail-Smith finding the side-netting shortly before half-time on the stretch.

Athletic got more of a grip on proceedings in the second half. Too often the ball was given away easily, though, and when Peterborough's half-time replacement Maddison found space there was always the possibility of a scoring chance being created. It was something of a mystery why he and the squat but lively Morias didn't start, on this evidence.

The lingering worry for Athletic here was, already being without Hunt, Anthony Gerrard and Amadi-Holloway both hobbled off the pitch in the second half.

Athletic's next four matches feature three at home, against the top three, and Southend (sixth) away on Saturday week.

An examination of the Sky Bet League One table shows Athletic in a clutch of clubs battling to be in the majority not to fill the final one of four relegation spots.

Coventry are as good as down and it is very difficult to see Chesterfield or Swindon extricating themselves.

REVITALISE

Port Vale, Shrewsbury, Athletic, Gillingham and Bury: It looks like one from five will be in League Two next season.

Sheridan will try to revitalise tired bodies this week in the build-up to Saturday's big visit of Sheffield United.

The next game is always the big one, but this is bigger than most yet this season.

IN A NUTSHELL: Athletic were left grateful for a draw.