Holden stays positive

ATHLETIC manager Dean Holden felt his side was culpable for both goals conceded, as Sheffield United recovered from being two goals down at half-time to claim a point.

Adam Lockwood missed his attempted clearance from a right-flank cross and Jason Holt pounced, before referee Richard Clark overruled his assistant Kevin Mulraine and awarded a corner that led to Jamie Murphy striking home.

It meant Dominic Poleon's superb double was cancelled out, though Holden was keen to emphasise the positive aspects of an energetic and high-tempo effort from his men.

“We didn't stop the cross for their first goal, similar to last week at Crawley,” Holden said.

“The second, everyone in the ground knows it was a goal kick. The referee overruled the linesman and it was a strange decision. But once he had made it, we had to focus quickly on dealing with it, and we didn't do that.

“Sheffield United made changes at half-time, put their winger at right-back and really went for it.

“ In the first half we were well on top and could have been out of sight. Once they got that first goal back, the pressure mounted. Overall, we came up against a top team and played our part in a very entertaining game.”