Sheridan praises work ethic

OH YES! Skipper Liam Kelly wheels away to celebrate the opening goal.

A STIRRING win over Swindon wasn’t quite enough to lift Athletic out of the league’s bottom four - but manager John Sheridan isn’t too concerned.

Fleetwood’s 2-0 victory over Peterborough means despite a third straight clean sheet and strikes by Liam Kelly and Curtis Main, Athletic stay fourth-bottom - but with the benefit of two games in hand over Blackpool in 20th.

Ahead of the visit of third-placed Walsall on Saturday, the manager’s message is simple: keep on performing.

“I’ve said before that teams at the bottom can go on runs and win four or five quickly. Blackpool are showing that. We just have to concentrate on ourselves and try to win the next game. That is how we are going to look at it. If we keep winning, we’ll be fine.”

Athletic were excellent value for their defeat of Swindon, dominating the second half and rarely being troubled at the back.

Sheridan picked Kelly for praise and appreciated the effort of loan Doncaster man Main, whose first goal for Athletic increased the depression at his parent club.

“We fully deserved the result,” Sheridan added. “Swindon haven’t been getting results but they are a good passing side who can really hurt you. I was aware of that, even though they are on a bad run.

“I wouldn’t like to play against us at the moment. We work our socks off and we got in Swindon’s face and made it really difficult for them. We created one or two chances as well. The stamina in the team was excellent and we overpowered them. It was a fully-deserved result.

“I try not to pick individuals out, but Liam Kelly’s work ethic was excellent and he led by example, and there were a few not far behind. I’m really pleased for Curtis Main. He deserved the goal and hopefully, that will get him going and he will bang a few more in.”