Post-match analysis from Kelly

DARREN Kelly on Athletic’s response to going 1-0 down: “We conceded early on and it was a good test of character. The boys responded in a positive way, rather than getting their heads down. Coming back into the game, from there we dominated.”

On toughing it out, he said: “It is an extremely difficult place to come to. They are very well organised in and out of possession, so we had to try to break that down. We did that a few times but failed to get the end product. I was really pleased we got the goal in the end, but we could have had a couple.

“We did our homework and we knew we had to be patient in possession, but there were times we could have been quicker. That’s football. We had to keep creating those little chances and it was a great finish on the volley by Jonathan Forte from a great cross by Jake Cassidy to set him up.”

On debut striker Jake Cassidy, Kelly said: “He is going to be a handful for anyone. He has a bit of everything. He is big, physically strong and quick. When it goes up to him, it’s important we feed off him.”