Latics a step closer to safety after show of steel

HANDFUL . . . Jonson Clarke-Harris (above) gets in a shot during his all-action performance.

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Athletic 1, Crawley 0

THANKS to Danny Philliskirk’s well-taken strike and some dogged defending, upcoming fixtures at Leyton Orient tomorrow and Brentford four days later don’t need rose-tinted glasses to be examined with at least guarded optimism.

It should have been more comfortable. But it rarely is...

Paul Rachubka, in his first league showing at Boundary Park for more than 12 years, was forced into a smart save from the dangerous Billy Clarke in the second half.

It was a rare moment of danger stimulated by below-par opponents, who failed to muster much threat despite long periods of keep-ball in the second half.

Athletic were content to play on the counter-attack and should have established a two-goal lead despite their paucity of possession.

Jonson Clarke-Harris did everything but score in an excellent centre-forward’s display and Gary Harkins almost brought the house down with a weaving run so intricate and delicate it looked like he had the ball attached to his boot with a piece of string. If there is any better player to watch in League One in full flight, his name is probably Jose Baxter. Harkins certainly has the same ability to mesmerise fans and opponents alike.

If Harkins brought the box of magic tricks, then Charlie MacDonald was the man who put the seal on this valuable three points with some old-fashioned pragmatism.

Running intelligently and taking the ball carefully in opposition territory, the substitute ensured that nothing – not even five minutes of added time, could halt Athletic’s march to victory.

It wasn’t pretty from MacDonald, and nor was it from Adam Lockwood, another standout in defence, or indeed Wesolowski.

Lee Johnson should avoid adding to his grey-hair count, given the relief of a win that created a four-point buffer from the bottom four.

Athletic were dynamic and terrific in the opening 45 minutes.

Hailstones and heavy showers tested the resolve of supporters on an afternoon of wild weather, but Athletic were brighter than might have been expected, given the disappointment of conceding so late at Crewe a week earlier.

When it came, Athletic’s goal was a result of positive intent. Smith took possession and drove into the box and as he came together with Philliskirk near the penalty spot, the club’s top scorer confidently shifted the ball out of his feet, around a defender and hammered it home.

In the second half, Athletic were forced to defend, but scares were few.

Athletic looked slightly nervy as the game moved on, but Athletic stuck to their script. It rained, it poured. Come full-time, none of that mattered.

Steelwork arrives on site for the North Stand today and the future suddenly looks a degree sunnier than it did before kick-off.