Quick off the mark

ATHLETIC are the strongest of all League One sides when it comes to scoring in the opening 45 minutes.

Daniel Johnson’s goal at Rochdale was the 17th strike the club has managed in the first half so far this season, outgunning Preston and Swindon (both on 16).

And while the record of 11 goals scored after the break doesn’t match up, there is no other club in the division that equals Athletic in terms of defensive rigidity in the second half of games.

Lee Johnson’s side, who kept a clean sheet at Spotland, have been beaten only seven times in the second half of games, a record only MK Dons and Walsall (eight) can rival.