Latics make it three in a row

Goalmouth chaos as Latics pile on the pressure

Athletic 2, MK Dons 1

ATHLETIC once again underlined that reputations count for nothing as they defeated MK Dons to climb to seventh place in Coca-Cola League One.

Just as Carlisle arrived at Boundary Park unbeaten on their travels in their previous home match, Dons did likewise and suffered the same fate as Athletic again dented that record.

As Athletic notched a third straight victory, last night’s win was arguably the best of the three with Dons expected to be among the challengers for promotion.

What a pity there were only 3,630 paying customers at the game because they missed a treat as Athletic produced a performance which proved they are match for the best teams in League One.

In the space of a whirlwind 10 days, Athletic have catapulted from the relegation places to one place from a play-off spot such has been the remarkable transformation in their fortunes.

But with the success comes raised expectations and fans are suddenly talking about mounting a bid for promotion whereas little over a week ago survival was the buzz word.

Let’s not get carried away, but enjoy the moment because last night Athletic played by far their best football of the season so far.

And it was the front two of Pawel Abbott and man-of-the-match Keigan Parker who stood out head and shoulders above everybody else.

There was evidence that the pair are developing a great understanding as some of their interplay was a joy to watch and Parker’s goal, which was to prove to be the matchwinner, was worthy of that honour.

On-loan left back Alan Sheehan also conjured an equally stunning goal in what turned out to be a feisty affair.

Athletic proved they can handle a physical battle and they don’t come much tougher than Dons who produced some meaty challenges as they committed 25 fouls and had four players booked.

Dons manager Paul Ince was also ordered to the stands by referee Tony Bates as emotions ran high. He dashed on to the pitch as the half-time whistle sounded to berate the match official.

Athletic also defended well and were desperately unlucky not to keep a third consecutive clean sheet after keeper Dean Brill’s unlucky own goal late on gave Dons renewed hope they might snatch something from a game which had long appeared lost.

It would have been a travesty had Athletic come away with anything less than three points.

As expected, Alex Marrow returned in place of Joe Colbeck with Danny Whitaker switching to the right wing as Penney stuck with a 4-4-2 line up.

Athletic drew first blood in the eighth minute when Sheehan scored the first goal of his loan spell, and what a beauty it was.

Sheehan, ever keen to join the attack, ran on to a pass from Dean Furman and found the net with a terrific drive from 30 yards which arrowed into the bottom corner low to the left of keeper Willy Gueret.

Former Athletic loanee Aaron Wilbraham offered the biggest threat to Athletic as his near-post header flashed narrowly wide.

Marrow emulated Abbott, who almost scored from 40 yards at Southend, by delivering a strike from similar distance which the back-pedalling Gueret managed to desperately turn round a post.

And from the resulting corner, Abbott headed narrowly wide when he will have been disappointed not to have hit the target.

Rueben Hazell forced Gueret into another important save from a Sheehan free kick as he was left unmarked in front of goal.

Dons were unlucky not to equalise shortly before half time when Mathias Doumbe’s header from point-blank range struck Brill, who knew little about the save he made.

Parker made a brilliant break just short of the hour and released Whitaker who looked set to round Gueret to score when the keeper made an incredible stop at his feet. Any error of judgement and Gueret would have been off.

Athletic must have thought they had victory in the bag when Parker doubled their advantage with 20 minutes left after a breakaway.

Abbott delivered a delightful angled pass for Parker to run on to, check inside from the right and curl an exquisite shot into the top corner of the net.

Dons took off central defender Darren Powell and replaced him with striker Dean Morgan as they effectively left two against two at the back with everybody else pushed forward.

Morgan and Wilbraham both went close but, by the same token, Dons were forced to leave themselves wide open and Abbott would have made it 3-0 but for a marvellous save from Gueret.

Dons found the net in the 87th minute with one of the season’s more bizarre own goals.

Substitute Ritchie Partridge fired over a low cross from the left which eluded everybody and struck the far post before rebounding back across the face of goal and hitting Brill, who was still on the ground, and trickling over the line.

It set up a frantic finish as Dons launched an all-out assault with even goalkeeper Gueret joining the attack.

But Athletic’s defence held firm as the fans went home with plenty to smile about as their season has suddenly achieved lift-off.