Dynamic duo lift Latics: Peterborough 2, Athletic 2

COME ON, REF: Mark Allott (above, left), Lee Hughes and Chris Taylor have a word with referee Iain Williamson after Peterborough United were awarded their second penalty.

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THE importance of Lee Hughes and Chris Taylor to Athletic’s push for promotion from Coca-Cola League One was underlined once again at Peterborough United.

Not for the first time, the pair, who have both been linked with moves in the January transfer window, provided the spark as Athletic overturned a two-goal deficit and so nearly snatched a dramatic victory at London Road.

They showed why every effort must be made to ensure they stay at Boundary Park, at least for the remainder of this campaign.

Hughes will have scored far better goals than Saturday’s brace, but his strikes were a masterclass in the art of poaching.

Taylor, meanwhile, enhanced his reputation even further with another fabulous display.

He terrorised the Posh defence throughout in a match which was a terrific advertisement for the game.

Anyone will be hard pressed to find a League One fixture this season that matched this one for excitement, entertainment and incident. It had everything.

The first 45 minutes was amazing. It had three goals, one of which was an own goal, penalties and five bookings. There was also a tactical rejig due to a serious injury to Athletic full-back Daniel Jones.

The second half was also compelling viewing as John Sheridan’s side lived on the edge.

Posh, in all honesty, should have had been out of sight at the break.

They scored twice and also missed two penalties, though they found the net from the rebound which followed the second spot-kick.

But Athletic somehow hung on in there and hit back from two goals down to earn a deserved point.

Goalkeeper Greg Fleming made his full league debut for Athletic after Mark Crossley picked up a hamstring strain two days earlier in training, which had been kept a closely-guarded secret.

Stefan Stam was recalled into the heart of the defence after Sean Gregan was also ruled out through injury, although the Dutchman had an afternoon to forget as he scored an unlucky own goal and also conceded a penalty.

Neal Eardley also won a call up on the right side of midfield, an unfamiliar position for the Wales international who was asked to keep Posh dangerman George Boyd quiet.

There was also a starting spot for striker Darren Byfield, who eased the workload on Hughes.

Posh took the lead in the 12th minute when Aaron McLean’s shot from the right side of the penalty area took a wicked deflection off Stam and looped high into the net.

It got worse for Athletic when Reuben Hazell sold Fleming short with a headed back pass and the ’keeper brought down McLean in full flight as he attempted to burst through.

Fleming was lucky to escape with a yellow card as Athletic had no substitute ’keeper on the bench.

And to add insult to injury for Posh, Fleming kept out McLean’s spot-kick with a save low to his right.

Athletic were forced to change things round when Jones hobbled off with damaged ankle ligaments after a crude challenge by Craig Morgan.

Andy Liddell came on with Eardley taking over at right back and Kelvin Lomax switching flanks to left full-back.

There was worse to come in the 36th minute when Stam shoved Craig Mackail-Smith as he went to meet a Boyd cross from the left.

This time Mackail-Smith stepped forward but his penalty struck an upright and flew out to McLean, who rifled in the rebound.

But Athletic were back in the game five minutes before the break, although it did need a slice of good fortune.

Mark Allott scuffed his shot, but it fell to Hughes 10 yards out and the striker steered a low effort to the left of ’keeper Joe Lewis.

And Hughes would certainly have made it 2-2 moments later but for a last-ditch tackle from central defender Gabriel Zakuani as he burst through on goal.

But Hughes would not be denied just short of the hour mark when Lewis failed to hold Liddell’s free kick and the frontman gleefully scored his 11th goal of the season from a couple of yards out.

The second half was a terrific spectacle, with some great attacking play from both sides

There were chances galore and twice in the dying minutes Athletic could well have snatched victory.

Lewis made a brave save at the feet of Hughes and in stoppage time Taylor cut in from the left and his superbly-struck shot was spectacularly headed off the goal-line by Zakauni.




Seal of approval for Sheridan’s side



ATHLETIC’S promotion credentials were given the Ferguson thumbs up at Peterborough on Saturday.



Sir Alex Ferguson’s son Darren, the Posh manager, was impressed by Athletic and believes they will be in the mix come May.

Ferguson said: “Oldham are a good team, and I expect us both to be up there at the end of the season.

“They have some very good individuals, such as the front two and the lad Taylor. People go on about our three front players, Aaron McLean, George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith, and rightly so, but they are three good players for Oldham.

“I fancied Oldham at the start of the season and John Sheridan has got them playing some very good football.”

Sheridan described Peterborough as the best attacking team in League One and they proved as big a threat as he expected.

He said: “I was disappointed to go 2-0 down as they never really opened us up.

“I am going to keep quiet about the decisions. People at the game will have seen for themselves and there was no way that the first penalty should have been given in a million years.

“The plus point for us is that we have come from 2-0 down against a very good team and shown a lot of character to get something out of the game.

“Both teams wanted to win the game and both could have done so, but I think a draw was a fair result as neither team deserved to lose.

“For us to come from 2-0 down against the form team in the division was an excellent result. We showed a lot of character.”

Ferguson, whose side are unbeaten in 16 league matches, was disappointed to have picked up only one point.

He said: “When you are 2-0 ahead in a game you expect to go on and win it.

“It could have been three as we also missed a penalty.

“Oldham’s first goal changed the game. If we had gone in at half time 2-0 ahead, I would have expected us to win as it would have meant them coming out and chasing the game.

“Against our pace up front, I’m sure we would have given them problems.”