Shez lauds spirit

Photo: Alan Howarth

MUDDY MARVEL . . . spot-kick saviour Connor Ripley salutes the supporters at the final whistle

ATHLETIC'S never-say-die attitude could be invaluable in saving the club from relegation, after Connor Ripley pulled off two late penalty saves to put a spring in the club's step ahead of tomorrow's trip to Northampton.

Ripley's heroics twice denied Lee Gregory a match-winner for Millwall and raised huge cheers from the majority of the 3,856 crowd at SportsDirect.com Park.

It meant a point was preserved for Athletic and though it meant dropping a place to 20th, the gap to Port Vale in the bottom-four is now two points.

'UNBEATEN'

"The fight and the spirit is there and you could sense the relief," said Athletic boss John Sheridan, after making it four games unbeaten and taking 17 points from 10 outings under his watch.

"It might even been a blessing in disguise, giving everyone a lift.

"If we do get relegated, it certainly won't be without a fight. Connor produced two great saves."

Though delighted with the way his side operated for the majority of the contest against the Lions, Sheridan was left feeling that his side did not approach the closing stages in the right way as concentration levels dropped.

"It was our downfall and not through the way we played," Sheridan said of Millwall's late pressure. "People were daydreaming and not taking care of the ball.

"It gave them momentum and got them up the pitch. Whether were tired or not, we should not end up being so relieved to have ended up getting a point."

Northampton warmed up for tomorrow's game at Sixfields with a 3-0 defeat at high flying Fleetwood.

However, while Justin Edinburgh's men have lost five out of the last six away, their home record is impressive of late.

CANDIDATES

Relegation candidates Coventry, Chesterfield and Swindon have all fallen victim to Edinburgh's side.

Should Athletic manage to win tomorrow, though, they would move to within a point of the Cobblers and bring them into the relegation picture in the process.

"They are another team in and around us," Sheridan added. "We have got to go there and think if we can get a result and three points, it brings Northampton into the picture.

"It is really tight. You look at the weekend results and there are a lot you wouldn't expect.

"That's the way it will be until the end of the season now."

Anthony Gerrard is back in contention for the Northampton clash, having now served his two-match FA ban.