Latics hold on for superb victory

GOAL AND ASSIST: Conor Wilkinson, who came off injured, had a productive night for Athletic.

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ATHLETIC 2 SWINDON 1

ATHLETIC clung on by their fingertips to record a terrific home win over high-flying Swindon.

First-half goals from Mike Jones and Conor Wilkinson helped Lee Johnson's side into a two-goal lead as early as the 11th minute.

And though Swindon enjoyed a period of heavy pressure, forcing goalkeeper Jake Kean into a number of diving saves, their 63rd-minute strike by Massimo Luongo ended up counting for little.

Athletic made one change to the starting line-up against Scunthorpe, with Jacob Mellis starting a game for the first time at the expense of Timothee Dieng.

And Johnson's men flew into a two-goal lead with a pair of strikes within 50 seconds of each other.

First, Wilkinson's unimpeded run down the right was followed by a cut-back right into the path of Jones, who finished superbly with a first-time angled shot with his left foot.

Swindon had barely caught breath by the time their high defensive line was ruthlessly exposed again. Wilkinson nicked possession and opened his legs to gallop down the middle and slot confidently past Wes Foderingham.

It could even have been three on 25 minutes, when a mis-hit shot from Jones was superbly headed in by Jonathan Forte, but the effort was ruled offside.

Kean was called into action as the visitors got their game together to exert significant pressure – and Michael Smith should have buried a header which he pushed away.

But the defensive work was stout and Athletic preserved their advantage up to the half-time interval.

Swindon began the second half as they had ended the first, on the front foot.

And though Athletic had appeared to have quelled the storm, Massimo Luongo netted with a 25-yard drive which bounced just in front of Kean to register on 63 minutes.

John Swift also extended Kean while at the other end, Carl Winchester's low effort was pushed out by Foderingham.

Andy Williams should have scored but somehow headed the ball in the wrong direction with 10 minutes left.

Harry Toffolo brought out a superb stop by Kean late on, as did Jermaine Hylton, and Forte hit a tame effort at Foderingham on the break.

But Athletic held on to record a superb victory.