Cruel twist so unfair

Photo: Alan Howarth

IF ONLY . . . Rhys Murphy slots home what appeared to be a late winner for Athletic, but his effort is ruled out for offside by Timothee Dieng.

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Athletic 1, Millwall 2

DAVID Dunn stayed in his office after the game, nursing the impact of a blow so low and cruel it belonged in an underground fist fight.


Pushing for a winning strike, Athletic's dynamic midfield man Carl Winchester tested Millwall goalkeeper David Forde with a long-range effort and in-form Rhys Murphy slotted in from close range only for Timothee Dieng to be ruled offside.

If one side was to win the game, as the stopwatch flicked past 84 minutes, it was Athletic. The momentum was one way once Mike Jones had sweetly hit home a free-kick just shy of the hour, after winning the verdict after a powerful run that had ended with a trip.

Forde didn't move, possibly unsighted, as Jones whipped the ball over the wall and into the net from a foot outside the penalty area.

The subject of intense scrutiny over his immediate job prospects in the days leading up to this game and without three transferred players he included in his last match day squad against Colchester, Dunn then watched with some hope as the returning Jonathan Forte added spark to the attack down the left.

Full-backs Daniel Lafferty and Cameron Dummigan were also providing additional threat down the flanks and all that was needed was a slip by Millwall's men-mountain centre-backs Byron Webster and Mark Beevers, or a moment of individual excellence.

But there was a slip. Shane Ferguson was given time to swing in a teasing cross from the left and Steve Morison stooped to head past Joel Coleman in the 85th minute.

The mistake was a slight one, Brian Wilson letting Morison get a run on him as the cross was delivered.

But its impact must have been huge on Dunn, left to face the reality of a sixth home defeat under his charge.

While the crowd reacted to the intensity of the team’s effort in outplaying the play-off chasers – after the interval, particularly – two more defensive mistakes cost Dunn the chance of finally claiming that first league win at home.

Cursing weakness at the back is a recurring theme in the current slide. While at one end of the pitch, Jake Cassidy struggled against a physical defence, at the other elementary long punts saw a makeshift pairing of Timothee Dieng and Brian Wilson put on the back foot.

Millwall's tactics were blatant – quickly get the ball up to the front men and work from there. At the same time Athletic were industrious and bright in the middle third of the pitch.

Most of those fans who offered generous applause at full-time in spite of the crushing disappointment of defeat will have feared the worst when Millwall took the lead after only 81 seconds.

Rather than crumbling, Athletic fought back. Winchester saw a shot from a tight angle blocked well by the legs of excellent Millwall 'keeper Forde, and Jones was busy firing over crosses of some quality.

Despite Athletic's strong response, the Lions almost doubled their lead after 22 minutes.

Two needless corners were conceded and from the second, a far-post knock-down by Beevers led to a scramble in which Coleman saved well from Gregory with Morison’s effort blocked.

Jones adjusted his sights with a free-kick that passed a foot clear of the post and Murphy latched on to a Lafferty pass and took a touch out of his feet before shooting wide with the aid of a deflection as Athletic pushed on.

Ferguson went close with a lung-busting run and shot that flicked the outside of Coleman's right-hand post as the second period opened up. But when Jones restored parity, Athletic looked home and hosed for a point at worst.

Sadly, it’s not that kind of season.