Boss hails Latics' resilience

Dino Maamria saluted Latics’ resilience after they were forced to dig deep defensively on their way to yesterday’s 2-1 FA Cup first round victory at Gateshead.

Maamria’s side eventually saw off the National League North outfit thanks to goals from Filipe Morais and Jonny Smith.

Maamria said: “The biggest positive is how much resilience we showed as a team.

“That's four games unbeaten now. We'll just keep coming back when the going gets tough.

"We were under pressure at 1-1, so to go and get the second like we did shows character.

“We did that last week at 2-0 down against Northampton Town, so that resilience of the team is definitely changing.

"We had to make a couple of forced changes, but the team we had out there managed to win the game and that's the most important thing."

Despite the win up in the north-east, the Latics gaffer will be demanding more from his players.

"We didn't match their work rate,” added Maamria.

“They worked a little bit harder than us which is unforgivable, so we're going to have a good look at the game.

"We had to win the game and dig deep at 60/65% and we need to do better to win properly in our league, so we have to improve.

“We realise that as a group we need to improve.

"We're making small steps forward, like I said, it's four games unbeaten now, two wins and two draws.

“It's positive, and what we've got to do now is keep building on that.

"We must take the win and not get carried away with it as we've got to go back next week and work harder to be ready for the next game."

Latics will be ball number 27 in tonight’s second round draw, which will be televised live on BBC2, from 7pm.

Saturday will see Latics’ players left kicking their heels after the scheduled League Two clash at Maamria’s former club Stevenage was postponed due to international call-ups for the hosts.

Stevenage made the decision to postpone the fixture in-line with league rules, as they will be without three of their players who are on international duty.

A new date has yet to be scheduled.

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