Latics show their spot-kick prowess

CONSTANT MENACE: Conor Wilkinson, who was impressive throughout, gives his marker a hard time. Pictures by ALAN HOWARTH

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Athletic 2, Barnsley 2

(after penalties, 4-2)

THE prospect of a dream Wembley final for Athletic is in slightly sharper focus following a nailbiting penalty shoot-out triumph against Barnsley.

Lee Johnson's confident side are into the Northern Section quarter-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after beating the Tykes 4-2 on penalties in a cracking match that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

But a shoot-out should have been unnecesary: Athletic turned in one of their most dominant first-half performances for some time.

Two-nil up and cruising at the interval, the hosts had peppered the Barnsley goal for almost the whole 45 minutes.

But once Danny Wilson's expensively-assembled side had finally pulled a goal back eight minutes after the restart, the hosts began to look over their shoulders.

Chances dried up – though Athletic still created 24 efforts on goal during the whole match – and penalties were eventually necessary once Sam Winnall lashed home from 30 yards as the game entered stoppage time.

This Athletic side has possess bags of character and sailed to victory 4-2 on spot-kicks, thanks to cool strikes from Danny Philliskirk, Liam Kelly, Mike Jones and teenager Rhys Turner.

Only Conor Wilkinson – a star over 90 minutes – fluffed his lines at the death when Ross Turnbull saved the fourth of Athletic's five spot-kicks.

As promised, Timothee Dieng started alongside James Wilson at the heart of Athletic's defence.

Joseph Mills returned from illness, Dominic Poleon and James Dayton were in after impressing as substitutes at Peterborough at the weekend and there was a first start for Rotherham loanee Michael Tidser in midfield.

Leading scorer Jonathan Forte was rested, while Connor Brown, Kelly and Carl Winchester were among the substitutes.

Athletic were almost rampant as they carved out chance after chance, and they were excellent value for their 2-0 interval lead.

The theme continued after the restart as Philliskirk threatened just 35 seconds into the second period. But once Berry struck, the mood changed.

Athletic’s chances dried up before Winnall drew gasps from the home crowd as he smashed home from almost 30 yards in the 90th minute.

Athletic had let Barnsley back into contention when they ought to have already been home and dry.

But the four successful penalties proved enough as Winnall struck his effort against the crossbar and Paul Rachubka saved Kane Hemmings' attempt.

After losing on penalties to finalists Chesterfield last season, maybe it's Athletic's turn for a successful run to the home of English football this time round.