Ripley backed

NOT THIS TIME . . . Lee Erwin takes a strike at goal at Deepdale as Athletic ultimately bowed out of the EFL Cup competition

STEPHEN Robinson says goalkeeper Connor Ripley won't lose too much sleep over the error that led to Preston's second goal as Athletic exited the EFL Cup last night.

Entering the game on the back of three straight clean sheets and having made a superb save from Jordan Hugill in the first half, Ripley found himself beaten by a deflected Eoin Doyle effort in the second half before making a mistake that allowed Jordan Hugill to make the tie safe for the Championship side.

Ripley came out of his area to clear the ball but was tackled by Doyle, who crossed for Hugill to head into an unguarded goal.

It was Athletic's first loss since the opening day and came despite at least matching Preston for the majority of the second-round tie.

"I have nothing but praise for Connor. He has made a bad decision but with a young goalkeeper, they are going to make mistakes at times," said Athletic boss Robinson, who will continue his hunt for a new striker this week to try to inject additional spark in the opposing penalty area after a fourth blank in front of goal in six outings this term.

"He made a mistake but he kept us in the game in the first half with a super save.

"He will pick himself up as he is a strong character and we didn't lose the game because of that."

Billy Mckay missed out due to a tight groin and Jamie Reckord was missing with an infection but though Athletic made three changes to the side that beat Bury at the weekend, Robinson felt that up to the first goal on 66 minutes his side were in the ascendancy at Deepdale.

"It is disappointing as the two goals we conceded were poor ones," he added.

"We had three players around the ball that bobbled through (for the first) just when we thought we were making a positive change, putting Ryan McLaughlin on who is a bit more forward-thinking than Josh Law with us having a lot of play down that side.

"It changes the game, meaning you have to chase it and change the shape.

"We had three strikers on and Jake Cassidy was tired as he hasn't had a lot of game-time. We coped well in the first half.

"We were in total control of the game, but they are just a little bit better at what they do that what we do.

"They have been together for two years and have that bit more understanding and sometimes a bit better quality in the final third.

"There was nothing in the game and their management said the same to us.

"They were two bad goals we are disappointed to conceded and we haven't made a habit of conceding goals like that.

"We will deal with it and we were never going to win the EFL Cup, if we are all being honest. But the league is a massive priority for us and always have been."

Athletic are next in action at third-placed Bradford City in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.