We deserved win, says spot-kick star

ANDY LIDDELL was delighted to regain penalty-taking duties as Athletic won three vital points at Northampton.

Liddell was sitting on the bench seven days earlier when Athletic were given a spot-kick at Cheltenham, where Chris Taylor’s first shot was saved.

The veteran said: “I don’t think Chris was brave enough to take this one off me, especially after last week when he needed the rebound to score.

“You’ve got to have bottle, and fair play to Chris for showing that against Cheltenham, but it was an embarrassing effort!

“I take the penalties when I’m on, so it was nice to contribute and I thought we were the better team.

“Things got a bit blown out of proportion when we didn’t play well in the first half at Cheltenham last week, but we fought back there and now we’ve got a really good win.”

Liddell’s goal was his sixth of the campaign — including three from the spot — and came after he was used as an early substitute.

He added: “It was a shame for Deane Smalley to get injured. He has been playing really well and just got clattered.

“As a sub you always hope to be involved, and I thought it was a good team performance with some good chances.

“Northampton hadn’t lost at home and it was like the Alamo at the end with them trying to catch us with long balls and flick-ons.

“It was hard, but until then we dictated the play, made chances and we deserved to beat them.”

Manager John Sheridan felt Athletic’s victory would lift everyone at Boundary Park in the wake of last week’s public spat.

He explained: “One or two things went on, but we all love the club and want to do well for Oldham.

“Things got carried away, but we all want to go the same way and I’m sure this result will put smiles back on people’s faces.

“Once we got in front we took our foot off the pedal again, which is happening a bit too much, but the manner of the win was pleasing.

“Darren Byfield, Chris Taylor and Lee Hughes all had chances before we scored, and we looked compact when we had to defend.

“I’m pleased about the clean sheet because we’d conceded 12 goals in our last five away games, but we did it with a solid team performance.

“Northampton are difficult to play against and we handled them well. As a manager, you always think 1-0 is the best scoreline.”

Sheridan had praise for Kevin Maher, who was given his first league start since the opening day of the season.

He said: “Kev hasn’t been playing for the simple reason that my two central midfielders (Mark Allott and Danny Whitaker) have been our two most consistent players

“He’s a good professional and he hasn’t complained once. He just got on with it and then took his opportunity when it came.”