Cracker Cassidy

TRICKY . . . Marc Klok in action last night at Leigh

JAKE Cassidy gave his manager a prod with a goal for Athletic's second-string last night, in a side that also featured Ousmane Fane.

Cassidy rose to head home a cross by Darius Osei four minutes into the second half to level the Lancashire FA Senior Cup semi-final at 1-1 against Manchester United's under-23s. Athletic went on to win a penalty shoot-out 4-3 to claim a place in the final against Everton.

Athletic boss Stephen Robinson remains on the hunt for a new striker, having had an initial bid for Kilmarnock's Josh Magennis slammed as "beyond belief" by the Rugby Park club. Robinson remains keen and a fresh offer could be made, but it remains to be seen if an agreement could feasibly be reached by the time Athletic travel to Millwall on Saturday.

If a new forward is not brought in by then, Cassidy - who missed a penalty in the shoot-out at Leigh Sports Village - could find himself on the bench, behind starters Lee Erwin and Billy Mckay.

A deal for Kidderminster's Fane has been struck and the transfer will go through today, after he featured as a trialist last night.

Winger target Liandro Martis, meanwhile, scored last night for a Leicester City XI in their 3-1 defeat at Chesterfield. Athletic have also been linked with a move for Leeds wide man Jordan Botaka this week.

Athletic's pursuit of Magennis has been attacked by Kilmarnock director Billy Bowie.

Robinson worked with Magennis (25) during Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign and the Rugby Park club feel that a player who fired 13 goals last season is worth more than a reported bid of under £50,000 from Athletic.

LAUGHABLE

"It's laughable," Bowie said. "Oldham are pleading poverty and it certainly looks that way judging by their offer.

"As a club we are in the business of developing our players and selling them on to make money - but if we had let Josh go at that price the fans would have shot us.

"You see other players going for good prices so I can't understand why it hasn't been that way for Josh.

"This is a player who just a couple of months ago was playing at the European Championship finals.

"So how Oldham thought we'd entertain an offer like that is beyond belief."

In last night's tie, Matthew Olosunde gave Manchester United a first-half lead before Cassidy's equaliser. Connor Brown, Brendy Glackin, George Edmundson and Kallum Mantack scored with their penalties to take Athletic through.

Athletic: Kettings, Mantack, Brown, Edmundson, Stott (King 75), Fane, Woodland, Klok (Trialist 46), Woodland, Cassidy, Osei (Glackin 66).

Subs not used: O'Neill, Scullion, Knight.

TICKET prices have been set low for Athletic's EFL Cup first-round tie at home to Wigan on Tuesday, August 9 (7.45pm kick-off).

Fans can buy in advance or pay cash on the turnstiles.

Prices are £10 adults, £5 concessions and £2 for under-12s.