Battling Latics in point reward: Athletic 1, Leeds 1

GET BACK: Athletic midfielder Mark Allott holds off Leeds United’s Lucciano Becchio.

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ATHLETIC ground out a precious point in their push for promotion from Coca-Cola League One against Leeds United on a pink-themed night at Boundary Park.

The play-off rivals were involved in a fiercely competitive match, which sprang into life in the second half.

Athletic, wearing a pink kit to raise funds for the Royal Oldham Hospital’s ‘Link4Pink Appeal’, were forced to fight every step of the way to take something from the Roses clash.

Fast and furious, it was also strewn with errors which, in many ways, made it an even more compelling game to watch.

Athletic were probably of the opinion of it being a point gained rather than two lost as it was Leeds who carved out the more clear-cut chances. The fans heading back along the M62 will be wondering how their team did not emerge victorious.

But you had to hand it to Athletic. John Sheridan’s side displayed battling qualities and resilience to scrap for a point when Saturday’s endeavours at Millwall — they won 3-2 with a last-gasp goal — had clearly sapped some of their energy and drive.

Athletic defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Greg Fleming making a couple of crucial saves. Sean Gregan was solid in defence and marshalled the backline superbly against hot-shots Jermaine Beckford and Lucciano Becchio.

Athletic failed to impose their authority on the midfield as they had done for large parts of the match at Millwall. But, in fairness, they were up against two immense talents in Australian international Neil Kilkenny and England under-21 star Fabian Delph.

It was Leeds’ stranglehold on the midfield which prevented Athletic from providing an effective supply line for strikers Lee Hughes and Steven Kabba, who were often forced to feed off scraps.

Athletic were fortunate to reach the break on level terms after a disjointed first-half performance.

The home side were grateful to a last-gasp tackle by Daniel Jones to deny Becchio, who had burst through on goal after a superb pass from former Boundary Park favourite Kilkenny.

They had another almighty let off soon after when Jones was also involved. This time the on-loan defender was fortunate not to concede a penalty after appearing to handle a cross by Robert Snograss.

Athletic survived another anxious moment midway through the opening period when Beckford’s header flew narrowly wide.

Beckford turned provider shortly before half-time, but Snograss could only direct his header straight at Fleming.

Athletic were dealt a blow soon after the restart when Reuben Hazell was booked for a foul. It was his 10th booking of the campaign and signals a two-match ban.

After failing to muster a decent opening for almost 50 minutes, it was Athletic who broke the deadlock through a typical predator’s strike from Hughes.

Deane Smalley got his head to a Jones cross, but the ball appeared to be drifting harmlessly wide. However, Hughes had other ideas and somehow managed to squeeze the ball between the post and Danish ’keeper Casper Ankergren for his 17th goal of a highly-productive season.

Athletic’s joy was short-lived as Leeds were level 102 seconds later with a goal from Argentinian hit-man Becchio.

They received a let off moments earlier when Fleming produced a superb-reflex save to tip over a close-range header from the Leeds goal-scorer.

But, from the resulting corner, Becchio planted an unstoppable header into the roof of the net from six yards. Unluckily for Athletic fans, it was his 13th goal of the campaign.

Athletic had Fleming to thank for keeping Leeds at bay. He produced a smart save low to his right to deny Delph’s goalbound effort after the hosts’ defence was split open by a crisp passing move.

Neal Eardley also made a timely clearance after Beckford had poked the ball towards goal.

But Athletic held out to earn what could be a valuable point in the race for the play-offs..




Chief rues United’s quickfire equaliser



JOHN SHERIDAN’S only regret was that Athletic were only able to hold on to their lead two minutes.



Athletic went ahead through Lee Hughes, but Leeds United were soon level thanks to Lucciano Becchio’s header.

“It was a shame that once we got our noses in front we could not keep hold of the lead for longer,” explained the Athletic manager. “If we had done, it might have been a different game.”

Sheridan said it was a tough game and believed a draw was a fair result on the balance of play against their League One play-off rivals.

He knew it would be fast and furious and there would not be a lot of quality football because of the nature of previous clashes between the two sides.

Sheridan went on: “There was a lot of effort and hard work from the teams and we both had chances in what was an even game.”

He was pleased that Athletic did not lose any ground to Leeds, who he expects to be in the end-of-season shake up for promotion.

“To get four points from the last two games is very pleasing and full credit to the players who have put is a lot of effort and showed a lot of character,” he said.

But Sheridan wasn’t happy with the pre-match razzmatazz.

He thought it was a case of wearing a pink kit.

He said: “I didn’t expect the other things, and there was too much of it for my liking.

“I thought we were simply wearing a pink kit, but we had Pink Panther music and the like when I was trying to concentrate on a tough game.

“But I’m not blaming that for the result because it was for a good cause.”

Leeds manager Simon Grayson agreed a draw was probably a fair reflection on the game, although he thought his side carved out the more clear-cut chances.

He said: “It was a scrappy game and a difficult surface to play on. The ball seemed to be bouncing around at 100 miles an hour.

“I felt if we showed a bit more quality in the final third and, with the right decision-making or the right pass, we might have won the game on the counter attack.

“I am delighted with the point against one of our close rivals and also the fact it was away from home.

“To have picked up four points from two of our rivals in the last two matches is pleasing.”

Grayson said he only had 17 players available as eight were ruled out through injury or suspension.