Captain steps up to plate

Photo: Alan Howarth

Fleetwood 1 Latics 1 - Liam Kelly celebrates Oldham's goal

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LITTLE by little, Athletic continue to creep closer to safety by shaking off adversity.

At a windy Highbury Stadium, referee Graham Salisbury turned down what many observers felt was a strong penalty appeal in a crucial relegation battle which deserved a more decisive official in the middle.

Jonathan Forte appeared to be hauled back by Fleetwood’s outstanding right-back Conor McLaughlin before he could get his shot away. A penalty and a red card were not forthcoming in the 40th minute, though.

From their vantage point behind the incident, the fact Salisbury plain refused left both managers scratching their heads.

John Sheridan was particularly keen to ask the fourth official if there had been a rule change, as the referee from nearby Preston turned down the appeal while also failing to book Forte for a dive.

By that stage, Athletic had goalkeeper Joel Coleman to thank that a lifeless and disjointed display had not resulted in a deficit, in a game Sheridan boldly viewed, half-jokingly, as a nine-pointer in the pre-match press conference.

His opposite number Steve Pressley had been more circumspect, protecting his players from a weight of expectation.

After Liam Kelly had levelled for a robust Athletic outfit, 10 minutes after Stefan Scougall’s opening goal, at full-time there was not too much doubting which manager felt he had gained the better of the deal over 90 minutes of mainly turgid fare.

TICKED OFF

Athletic’s noses remain in front of those of Fleetwood, Shrewsbury and Blackpool. Another game has been ticked off and with the woeful Seasiders losing 3-0 at Rochdale, next week’s battle here between the Fylde coast duo promises to define not only both clubs’ seasons but potentially those of their rivals, too.

This was far from a convincing display from Athletic in the first half.

With Kelly gaining a stranglehold after the break, the goal conceded to the wily Scougall — the first let in from open play since Callum Camps smashed one in for Rochdale a month and seven games ago — was followed by a determined response and a scruffy but vital sixth strike of the season from the inspirational skipper.

Sheridan’s selection options were limited by injury issues that have sudden plagued the club.

Mike Jones’ painful rib injury meant he was not passed fit to start and the same was true of Carl Winchester’s tweaked knee.

That pair joined Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Timmy Thiele on the sidelines. James Wilson was able to start, though he succumbed to an ankle injury in the second half, with Brian Wilson also back in four days after being whisked away to hospital after an ugly collision at Barnsley.

Dominic Poleon was back on the bench, enjoying a brief cameo at the end, and Sheridan handed Lee Croft his first start since October as the central support for lone striker Curtis Main in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Little went to pan in an opening 45 minutes that had Sheridan cutting a frustrated figure within his technical area.

Antoni Sarcevic ran on to a loose clearance to strike a low shot across Coleman which he did well to save low down and the home side swung in a number of corner kicks under the goalkeeper’s nose, attempting to prey on vulnerability to quality deliveries that Barnsley had exposed.

Lively forward Wes Burns also went close, testing Coleman’s reflexes with a long-range drive he beat away and Bobby Grant flashed an effort wide as Pressley’s side tried to make their superiority count.

Then came the fruitless penalty appeal — the chance for Forte was created by a slick pass from Croft, who was busy and determined throughout — before Sarcevic again had Coleman going to ground with a 25-yard effort two minutes from the break.

Sheridan is no stranger to handing out a half-time pep talk and again, his men picked up after the break when attacking towards the end where 1,400 travelling fans were making themselves heard.

Forte, generally quiet but involved in some key moments, headed wide when Cameron Dummigan had nodded a cleared corner back into the area.

At the other end, Grant missed the target from a cross by McLaughlin shortly after the hour-mark.

Fleetwood’s goal came on the counter-attack, a regular source of joy for Pressley’s side.

Burns’ pace saw him race past Gerrard on the right touchline, despite the centre-back’s attempt to bring him down. His cross was met by Scougall and as players wrestled for position in front of the on-loan Sheffield United schemer, he found space to plant home a close-range shot.

Athletic responded in a positive fashion and were level soon after.

Main, who had an effort disallowed for offside in the 71st minute, grabbed an assist as his header from Dummigan's ball in was pushed away by Chris Maxwell.

Following up, Kelly scuffed his shot into the turf and against a post and the ball travelled agonisingly across and over the line, before Nathan Pond could hack clear.

Athletic pushed on, appearing the more likely side to grab a winning goal.

But a last-gasp free-kick from Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, which sailed into the stands from a promising crossing position, again had Sheridan pulling out his hair.

Nothing is settled yet and Athletic’s manager knows there is plenty of work to do.