Let’s go again, urges Latics boss

Photo: ALAN HOWARTH

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT: Lee Johnson applauds Athletic’s away following after Saturday’s game.

ATHLETIC have been challenged to pick up the pieces after an unfortunate defeat at Bristol City and get another positive run going.

The 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate leaves Lee Johnson’s side in ninth spot in Sky Bet League One, but only one point behind fourth-placed Rochdale.

With the FA Cup taking precedence this coming weekend — Athletic are at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday — there is a chance to restore momentum to the club’s top-six charge when Crawley visit SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday, November 15.

“If we back it up with a win next up in the league at home against Crawley, then everything in the garden is rosy again,” Johnson said.

“The key now is to go again, and to keep believing in what we are doing, that we are a good side and to get another run going.”

Athletic were cheered on in Bristol by 490 supporters who had snapped up all available tickets by Tuesday. Johnson regretted that his men couldn’t quite manage to cheer them by getting a draw.

Kieran Agard’s seventh strike of the season was enough to send Bristol five points clear at the top of the league.

“The lads gave the fans something to get behind; I do feel sorry for them. It would have been nice to leave with a point,” he added. “But we got done by a set-piece when we switched off.”

“We gave it a good go and I can’t be too down on the players. There are huge gaps between the clubs in terms of infrastructure and budgets and on the day, though we just came up short, there is an awful lot to be positive about.”