Latics lack net gains

Reporter: Simon Smedley
Date published: 22 September 2014


ATHLETIC enjoyed an encouraging opening 10 minutes and a barn-storming final 10 minutes - but just couldn't find a way through a stubborn Notts County defence.

This was another decent away point against tough league opposition, but once again Lee Johnson's side was sorely missing that killer finish.

The Magpies were there for the taking at times: they have won there only once this season – but again Athletic couldn't quite turn their dominance into the goals that matter.

Athletic extended their unbeaten sequence to six games in all competitions - an achievement to be proud of - but have scored only six goals in those games. It’s clear to all why the manager is working so hard to get a goal-poacher into the club.

As it was, this trip to Nottingham turned into another frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

Boss Johnson tweaked his starting line-up following the encouraging effort at Swindon in midweek.

James Dayton took a rest among the substitutes and Danny Philliskirk - still looking for his first goal of the season - was also replaced.

Jonathan Forte returned after two games out injured, and took his place wide on the left.

The most eye-catching item was the sight of Bolton teenage loanee Conor Wilkinson being given his first starting place with Dominic Poleon up front.

Such was the early confidence from Athletic, they almost went in front with an amazingly cheeky effort after two minutes, when Carl Winchester's free-kick found Poleon 10 yards from goal and an audacious back-heeled strike was saved by ‘keeper Roy Carroll.

After that, chances were sporadic. But the bulk of them came from Athletic. Midfield livewire Mike Jones found Forte only for his shot to be blocked, while Poleon was similarly thwarted after

latching on to a through-ball from the impressive James Wilson.

IN the second half neither side looked a threat until Dayton, Philliskirk and Amari Morgan-Smith entered the fray for Athletic.

Morgan-Smith almost made an immediate impact when he tested Carroll seconds after coming on.

Wilkinson also came alive in those final minutes. The tall front man powered in a shot that Carroll could only parry, before turning provider for Philliskirk, who just couldn't jump high enough to reach a well-flighted cross and headed over.

Wilkinson then produced a surging run through the heart of the Magpies' defence as the game entered stoppage time, but again Carroll saved superbly as he dived full length.

In the end this was a victory chance squandered in a game of missed opportunities. But as the unbeaten bandwagon rolls on, it's clearly only a matter of time before someone cops for a real hammering.