Shez salute after sub's late strike

Photo: Alan Howarth

PERFECT TIMING . . . Lee Erwin celebrates his last-gasp winner for Athletic against Northampton Town last night.

JOHN Sheridan hailed a "massive" win in the fight against the drop, after Northampton were denied a point thanks to an added-time strike by substitute Lee Erwin.

Erwin struck in the 91st minute to win three points in a 2-1 victory at Sixfields, seven minutes after John-Joe O'Toole had equalised for the hosts.

While Athletic remain 20th in the Sky Bet League One table - Bury, Shrewsbury and Swindon all won last night - Sheridan is more than content with the way his men are accumulating points.

It is now 20 gained in 11 outings since his return, after a night on which Sheridan signing Tope Obadeyi got off the goals mark for the club.

And Sheridan hopes that in the remainder of the season, starting with a trip to Walsall on Saturday, fellow forward Erwin can continue to chip in.

"It is a great goal (from Erwin) and we know he has goals in him," Sheridan said. "I like my strikers to play up front and if I am playing two up I want them to stay there.

"I had actually given him a rollicking because he should have kept the ball better for us on the halfway line earlier.

"But hopefully his goal will give him a bit of a boost. I want them all to enjoy winning while we are winning, but there is a long, long way to go.

"I am not bothered about anyone else. We take care of ourselves and if we keep winning, we will be alright.

"Walsall are a good footballing side and I like the way they play. They are a bit like Swindon with good footballers in the team. But we go there and I am sure we will have a big following.

"We have Bury at home after that and there are some big games coming up.

"We go to Walsall believing we can win - while knowing it is going to be tough."

Sheridan was left unimpressed last night with the decision to allow Northampton's goal to stand, in light of what he felt was a clear shove on skipper Peter Clarke in its build-up.

"The fourth official said it was a push, but it wasn't a bad push," said an incredulous Sheridan. "That's what his words were to me."

Defender Brian Wilson missed last night's game through injury, the manager added, though it is not a long-term problem.

"He has a sore Achilles," Sheridan said. "I think he will be alright for Saturday. It was a late decision to leave him out."