Latics in the driving seat

Photo: ALAN HOWARTH

UP AND RUNNING . . . Jonson Clarke-Harris gives Athletic the lead.

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Doncaster 0, Oldham 2

ATHLETIC'S first-ever league win at Doncaster came on the back of a truly first-class performance and drew praise from Rovers boss Paul Dickov.

“You deserved it,” said Athletic's previous manager, only slightly gritting his teeth.

No one could reasonably doubt Athletic's value for the side’s first win of the season, in a first direct meeting with Dickov since he lost the Oldham job.

There was another bonus, too: the first goal of the season from Jonson Clarke-Harris, his first since Bradford almost five months ago.

Remarkably this was also the first time under Lee Johnson that Latics had gone 2-0 up in a league game in 60 fixtures since he took over.

It could and should have been more emphatic. In the second half, as Doncaster fell to pieces after Jonathan Forte’s penalty, the same player saw his scuffed goal-bound effort with a weaker right foot cleared off the line. He also flashed another over and wide, while Danny Philliskirk saw his shot deflect past a post off the studs of goalkeeper Jed Steer. Carl Winchester, too, went close.

Athletic needed this win badly. Pressure had been building after a winless run of five games.

The first half was a fairly even affair, but Athletic made their intentions clear by consistently nicking possession off the home side.

Johnson named an unchanged team from Preston the week before. Within four minutes, Mike Jones had whipped in a free kick and as it pinballed around the penalty area, Clarke-Harris was there to smash it home.

Forte almost made it 2-0 after seven minutes when his deflected shot was well tipped over by Steer, while at the other end Brian Wilson produced some excellent defending to deny Dean Furman.

Paul Keegan tried to beat Paul Rachubka with a volleyed flick from a corner, only to see his attempt – Rovers' only one on target all game – caught.

Athletic suffered a nervous moment three minutes before the interval. Nathan Tyson chased down a channel ball and Rachubka came close to making enough contact for a penalty as the ball ran out for a goal kick.

Rovers began the second period on the front foot, but after the home team made a triple substitution Athletic won a penalty.

Danny Philliskirk was hauled down by Luke McCullough and Forte converted coolly in front of the delighted band of 681 Athletic fans.

A defensive line led by the terrific Elokobi offered few chinks of light.

It should have been 3-0 twice in quick succession. First a brilliant first-time pass from Clarke-Harris sent Forte sprinting away on his own. He took the ball round Steer but fluffed the chance.

From the resulting corner, Liam Kelly was left with the freedom of South Yorkshire near the penalty spot but his weak header went nowhere near the goal.

Athletic continued to get behind the Rovers defence and after Philliskirk had tested Steer’s reflexes, Forte hammered a couple of feet wide and over the top from a cross from the same right flank.

The posts were quickly replaced at the end of the game with taller uprights ahead of Doncaster RLFC's game yesterday. If Athletic had managed to put away all their chances, this too would have had a score more reminiscent of a game of rugby.