Keep the faith, boss

Photo: All pictures: ALAN HOWARTH

GOAL: Big centre forward Michael Higdon put his team in front after 35 minutes.

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IT'S not really surprising that Athletic boss David Dunn cut a slightly disappointed figure after his club’s third 1-1 draw under his watch.

But this was the one in which Athletic created most chances and looked most threatening. The visitors to Vale Park covered the big pitch well, looked technically good and were solid at the back.

They led after just over half an hour thanks to big Michael Higdon's superbly-taken header, but couldn't quite hang on as equally-imposing Vale sub Uche Ikpeazu snatched away two points as he barged past the Athletic defence with 20 minutes to go.

Dunn ought not to be down, though. By the end of his late briefing he spoke positively about the progress he has seen in his three games in charge. He has every right to move on to the Gillingham game this weekend with confidence and pride intact. Dunn is making alterations to the squad and the way he wants his players to play, and this will take a little more time. But for now his “glass half-full” approach is the best one to adopt.

The Athletic gaffer didn't go mad with team changes ahead of last night's clash. In fact thee was only one: Saturday's super sub Dominic Poleon got the nod in place of Danny Philliskirk as a partner to Michael Higdon at the front. And it was the Sheffield United loanee who made the biggest impact in a probing first period.

Higdon bagged the only goal of the opening half, heading home Mike Jones' floated corner 10 minutes before the break. It was a simple header, clinically executed, as the big man beat 'keeper Jak Alnwick thanks to power and precision. The ball flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Higdon might have gone into the break with a feeling of disappointment; he ought to have doubled the team's tally a minute before half-time when Poleon had rifled a superb shot from 25 yards and the loose ball fell invitingly into Higdon's path. He blazed wildly over the top.

Athletic went in search of a killer second goal after the break as Jones fired wide and Poleon fizzed an effort just past the far post.

But once man-mountain Ikpeazu had got into his considerable stride after he had replaced AJ Leitch-Smith in the 56th minute, Vale attacked with menace.

Anthony Grant almost evened it up, before Watford loanee Ikpeazu made his telling contribution with 20 minutes left. Latching on to Byron Moore's pass, Ikpeazu charged at the heart of Athletic's defence Jonah Lomu-like before slotting past Cornell.

There were groans from all corners at the final whistle, but from Athletic's point of view, this was a third straight encouraging showing under Dunn, the point gained lifting them a couple of places in the table.