Frustration for boss as Latics let it slip

Photo: -ALAN HOWARTH

long-range effort: Athletic midfielder Mike Jones attempts to add to his side’s tally in last night’s clash at Port Vale.

DRAW specialists Athletic have been urged to be braver by boss David Dunn after his team let slip the chance to win for only the second time this season.

The visitors to Port Vale led 1-0 at half-time through Sheffield United loanee Michael Higdon’s first goal in his second appearance for the club.

But Vale sub Uche Ikpeazu evened things in the second half - giving Latics three 1-1 draws out of three under Dunn.

The manager clearly felt his team could have done better: “I thought we would have held on at the end. It wasn’t a great goal to concede. It wasn’t a great spectacle and to be honest we are miles better than that. It wasn’t a great performance and I am disappointed with another 1-1 draw.

“We've got to be braver in possession. We’ll just work hard on that at the back end of this week.”

But he added: “Our main job after the Peterborough defeat was to make the team more solid, and I think we’ve done that. Maybe we’ve gone a bit the other way now; we just have to be better on the ball.

“To get an away point anywhere is good, I suppose, it’s just the manner of how we’re playing when in possession which makes me a little bit disappointed.”

There is cause for optimism in these still very early days in Dunn’s reign: “There were positives,” the manager added. “The lads put in a really good shift against a decent side who have been in decent form.

“Dominic Poleon was excellent and worked really hard. He was unlucky not to get another goal, while Higgy got his goal and though he is a big lad, he’s got quality on the ball. It’s important we stay positive as a squad and as a club. There’s a lot of good things going on.

When we get that bit better on the ball, we’ll be okay. We look a threat when we pass it around well, so it’s up to us to relay that message to the players.”