Skipper is Latics’ saviour

Photo: Alan Howarth

Liam Kelly powers the ball in off his own rebound to score

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Athletic 1, Port Vale 1

SEVEN GAMES unbeaten but continuing to carry the burden of playing at a home that doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should, Athletic remain a work in progress for boss John Sheridan.

Liam Kelly almost broke the netting when firing home after his own penalty had been pushed onto the post in the second half of a turgid game, played out amid horrendous sleet showers on a pitch that resembled a soaking-wet beach.

Before that point, Athletic could easily have been losing 2-0. That would have been some mountain to climb and surely also a psychological blow.

This draw could have been an even better result had the luck been pushed enough to see Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s angled shot nestle in the corner, rather than go wide.

But by at least avoiding a loss, Athletic stay within three points (just one win) of the side in 20th place, which is now Shrewsbury.

Sheridan was left to ponder afterwards: on a strike pairing for whom good work hasn’t been reflected in goals; two, on a goalkeeper, Joel Coleman, who made a slip to help Sam Foley stake his opening goal on the hour, and three, to hone a strategy capable of overwhelming visiting sides on a pitch unsuited to the passing game Sheridan prefers.

Athletic entered this contest a point away from stepping out of the relegation zone, after a terrific run of 12 points from 18 in a six-game unbeaten run.

There was a suspicion of fatigue creeping in, hardly a surprise given the punishing schedule and heavy playing surfaces.

Perhaps with that in mind, Sheridan made two changes to his line-up from Scunthorpe: Mike Jones on the left wing and, going back to 4-4-2, Amadi-Holloway was restored.

Jonathan Forte’s missed his second game through illness.

The driving sleet certainly didn’t help a game played out on a sticky, sandy pitch. Both sides tried to play the ball on the ground but found it tough to get much moving in attacking areas.

Kelly had Athletic’s main chance of the first 45 minutes. The build-up was neat and Cameron Dummigan's cross a beauty, the skipper unable to prevent his header from being blocked eight yards out

Kelly’s attempt at the end of the half was more speculative, but almost caused Vale goalkeeper Neal some embarrassment as he caught then dropped a 30-yard strike between his feet.

Matt Palmer sliced wide five minutes into the second half after a surge down the left from Amadi-Holloway had ended with the striker electing to pass rather than take up the invitation of a shot himself.

Port Vale hit back with a spell of pressure that led to their goal. Consecutive corners from Michael O’Connor had Athletic’s defence in trouble and on the second, Coleman’s punch was miscued and fell kindly to Anthony Grant. His initial effort was blocked by Dieng, but a half-clearance was smashed back in by Sam Foley, deflected off Grant.

Anthony Gerrard was pushed by Richard Duffy as he tried to reach a free-kick by Matt Palmer. Kelly’s penalty was saved, rebounded off the post and fell back to him to smash home.

Vale substitute Theo Robinson was a whisker away from connecting with an angled Foley shot at one end and at the other, Amadi-Holloway took Coleman’s long clearance perfectly before an imperfect finish from just inside the box.

It wasn’t quite his night, or Athletic’s.