Impressive Athletic maintain unbeaten pre-season record

On target: George Edmundson (right)

A late equaliser denied Athletic what would have been an eye-catching friendly victory against Championship big guns Nottingham Forest at Boundary Park.

Lewis Grabban grabbed an 87th minute leveller for Forest as Athletic stretched their encouraging unbeaten pre-season run to four games.

Almost 2,000 were inside the stadium to see Matthew Cash put Forest in the opening three minutes of the game.

However, Athletic netted two second half goals and led until three minutes from time.

Trialist Jonathan Benteke equalised in the 48th minute, while 10 minutes later, George Edmundson powered his header into the top corner as Athletic took the lead.

They held that until the final three minutes of the game as Grabban made it 2-2.

Dan Gardner’s first-half withdrawal through injury could be a worry for Athletic, but it’s not thought to be anything serious.

Next up, Athletic host Preston North End in their fifth pre-season warm-up fixture on Saturday (3pm).

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