Boss not happy

FRUSTRATION . . . for Athletic manager Lee Johnson.

THERE was no argument against Crawley emerging from the early kick-off at SportsDirect.com Park with a point in Athletic manager Lee Johnson’s mind.

His team lacked sharpness in a 1-1 draw in which the home side pressed hard without the guile to unpick a well-organised defence.

Daniel Johnson's early goal on debut was cancelled out three minutes before half-time by a rocket shot from Gwion Edwards – a strike that arrived on the back of some defensive dallying by Paul Rachubka and a panicky clearance from James Wilson.

The Red Devils hung on for the draw, leaving Johnson's side with one point from their last two league games.

“We were poor. A lot of our basics were off and though we dominated possession, I was disappointed with the shot and corner count. We didn't have the quality.

“It was tough for them, as it was their third game in a week. So you would hope our players would have had the greater energy on the day. We played poorly and got a point. I am not a happy bunny.”

After the delight at loan star Daniel Johnson’s goal on debut, Johnson was left pulling out his hair at the visitors' equaliser.

“Daniel's was a fantastic goal and you saw a little glimpse of his quality just before that,” he added.

“I was delighted for him to score on his Oldham debut.”

Johnson explained the decision to take off 11-goal top scorer Jonathan Forte at half-time.

“I felt either he wasn't getting the service or he wasn't moving enough to get on the ball,” he said.

“At the same time they were so deep it was limiting the space behind them They had numbers in the box so it was difficult.”