The wait goes on

Photo: Pictures by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

REUBEN HAZELL (above) heads Athletic into the lead at Boundary Park yesterday, but a late equaliser from Byron Moore gave visitors Crewe a share of the spoils and left the home side dejected.

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Oldham 1, Crewe 1

ATHLETIC’S second draw over the Easter extended their winless run to nine matches in Coca-Cola League One.

But they won’t come much closer to ending that dismal sequence than against Crewe, who snatched a vital point in their battle to stave off relegation thanks to an 89th minute equaliser from Byron Moore.

Moore (20), who scored his first senior goal for Crewe at Boundary Park in September 2007, struck again after he punished Athletic for some comical defending.

Sadly it was no laughing matter as it denied Joe Royle his first win in his second spell as manager.

So the burning question remains — will Athletic win another game this season?

The last flicker of hope in landing a play-off place has finally been extinguished, although it has been known for several weeks that Athletic would miss out on promotion.

As an Athletic fan texting into BBC Radio Five Live pointed out last night, it is a good job they made such a solid start to the season or they would have been facing a fight for their League One survival.

Since beating Stockport in late January — that win moved them up to third place — Athletic have tasted victory just twice in 16 league matches. In all, they have picked up 13 points in that spell.

The way in which Athletic’s season has collapsed has been alarming, with Royle still searching for his first win after six failed attempts.

Admittedly, there has been more spirit about Athletic’s play since Royle’s return but that has been insufficient to bring about a change of fortune.

And it is clear they require major investment if they are to mount a promotion challenge in 2009/10.

The fans have certainly given up on the current campaign. When you take away the number of Crewe supporters in yesterday’s match, the home fans added up 3,800. That will hardly help pay the wages in the close season.

There was very much an end-of-season feel to what was a pretty uninspiring match.

Royle made four changes from the starting line up at Carlisle as Shane Supple was injured, Daniel Jones suspended, while Kevin Maher and Paul Black dropped down to the bench.

Greg Fleming returned in goal, Stefan Stam was recalled to the centre of defence and Reuben Hazell was switched to left back to replace Black. Chris Taylor, used as a central striker at Carlisle, reverted to the left flank as Kieran Lee was given a rare start on the right side of midfield. Deane Smalley returned after injury to partner Steven Kabba up front.

Athletic had a number of half chances without ever hurting Crewe. That was until they took a 41st minute lead when Hazell stayed upfield following a short-corner routine and was lurking at the far post to head home Smalley’s well-directed cross.

Athletic’s defence was troubled for the first time late on in the opening period when Fleming dived full length to his right to turn away a drive from John Brayford.

From the resulting corner, Eardley came to the rescue with a goalline clearance which followed an almighty scramble.

Crewe were far more of a threat in the second half when manager Gudjon Thordarson went three at the back in an effort to salvage something from the game.

And fortune favoured his bold approach when Crewe equalised in the 89th minute in bizarre circumstances.

Captain Sean Gregan sliced a clearance high into the air. Hazell’s attempted header back to Fleming only found Moore, who gleefully slotted home his fourth goal of the season and one which could be vital in Crewe’s bid for survival.




Eardley comes to the rescue after red-card controversy

Carlisle United 1, Athletic 1



TEN-MAN Athletic produced a battling performance to earn a draw at Carlisle United, where once again their achievements were overshadowed by a match official, writes TONY BUGBY.



Referee Kevin Wright harshly sent off Daniel Jones after he brought down Cleveland Taylor.

Wright deemed the on-loan Wolves player had denied Taylor a goalscoring opportunity, although the incident took place wide on the right hand side of the penalty area.

To compound Athletic’s agony, Michael Bridges stroked home the penalty.

Just six minutes earlier, Carlisle were fortunate not to have a player sent off themselves.

Steven Kabba burst clean through on goal, but was hauled back just outside the centre circle by Richard Keogh, who escaped with a yellow card.

Bridges’ spot kick separated the two teams at the break, although Chris Taylor should have given Athletic, who gave a full debut to 19-year-old left-back Paul Black, the lead when he headed against an upright.

Athletic were forced to take risks in the second period in pursuit of an equaliser.

They switched from 4-4-1 to 3-5-1 for the final 20 minutes, and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 89th minute when Neal Eardley’s free-kick ripped through the defensive wall and underneath ’keeper Ben Williams for his first goal of the season.