Point lifts Athletic out of drop zone

Athletic boss Richie Wellens appeared relieved after the point gleaned from a dour goalless draw at home against Doncaster Rovers lifted his side out of the Sky Bet League One drop zone.

Defeats for drop rivals Rochdale, Northampton and MK Dons on Saturday means Athletic are now that single point clear of the relegation places heading into this weekend’s final-day clash away at Northampton.

A win at the Sixfields Stadium and Athletic would definitely be safe.

A draw would mean Northampton would join the Dons and Bury in League Two next term, but that might not be enough if Rochdale win at home against Charlton.

Reflecting on the Rovers stalemate, Wellens said: "I thought we shaded it. We were really pressing in the second half, but we just couldn't get over the line.

"Again, though, we lacked that bit of quality you need at crucial times.

"All in all was probably a positive day, though.

"Our destiny is back in our hands thankfully, and to be honest that's all I could have asked for before the game.

"It's all I could have hoped for.

"It can be difficult for the players when we're hearing things on the sidelines, but thankfully it's worked out for us in the end.

"We tried everything to get the three points of course, and every single one of the players showed loads of character and desire.

"Maybe we didn't quite work the goalkeeper hard enough overall, but while it wasn’t a great day, it turned out to be a decent day for us.

"We've got the game at Northampton to look forward to now, and we've got a full week to prepare.

"We'll work hard all week and we'll just try and go there and win the game and then it's happy days.

"It'll be an emotional day next Saturday, there will be ups and downs, but we'll go there with confidence.

"Northampton won't roll over and die, though. Look at Doncaster, they had nothing to play for but played really well throughout."

Doncaster captain Andy Butler headed an early chance over the bar, while Athletic striker Duckens Nazon was denied by visiting goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.

The best opening of the first half dropped to Doncaster top scorer John Marquis, but he fired narrowly over from the edge of the box.

Nazon went close twice in a matter of moments, first bringing a save from Lawlor and then drilling a second effort inches wide.

Another Butler header flew off target before Marquis teed up Ben Whiteman, whose shot from 12 yards failed to test home goalkeeper Johny Placide.

Wellens switched to a four-man attack as he sought the breakthrough, but the visitors held on with few problems and are now unbeaten in five away matches.