Boss hails performance after shoot-out

Rhys Turner scoring the winning penalty

EVEN if Athletic had lost their dramatic penalty shoot-out against Barnsley last night, manager Lee Johnson would still have been purring over another top-quality performance.

In the end Johnson’s men beat the Tykes 4-2 on penalties after an entertaining Roses clash had ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The hosts did relinquish a 2-0 half-time lead at SportsDirect.com Park as Sam Winnall’s last-minute wonder equaliser meant a shoot-out would decide victory. But Danny Philliskirk, Liam Kelly, Mike Jones and Rhys Turner did the business from the spot to spell relief all round.

“I thought we were tremendous, against a good Barnsley side<’ said Johnson.

“We moved the ball well, we must have made double the passes, and we had threats everywhere.

“Conor Wilkinson and Dominic Poleon were a threat, and Danny Philliskirk worked his socks off and deserved his goal. James Dayton was good and Mike Tidser, considering he hadn’t played, was brilliant.

Timmy Dieng looked like he had never been away.

“I was pleased because I thought we dominated a tough side; we’re looking like a side who can score goals.

Johnson wasn’t overly concerned when Winnall’s strike sent the game into the shoot-out: Athletic players practise taking penalties.

“I did fancy us when it went to penalties,” said Johnson. “We have got a good group here and confidence is high.”