Penney praise for Flahavan

Lewis Guy: The on-loan forward made a lively debut for Athletic last night

DAVE PENNEY paid tribute to his goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, whose heroics helped secure a battling 1-0 win at Stockport.

Athletic are now seven points clear of the relegation zone having picked up a fifth away victory of the season at Edgeley Park.

Pawel Abbott’s first-half penalty was the difference between the two sides, securing Athletic a crucial triumph against a County team reduced to 10 men following Danny Swailes’ dismissal for a professional foul in the build-up to the goal.

But the role of Flahavan – brought into the side in place of Dean Brill – was vital, with the on-loan Crystal Palace man producing two superb saves as Stockport opened the game in positive fashion on a sand-laden pitch.

“Darryl came in and was excellent, making a save early doors (from Jabo Ibehre) and there was the one from a free-kick (a header by Johnny Mullins) that he produced a good save from as well,” Penney said.

“I don’t think them going down to 10 men made it any better for us. We wanted a pitch where we can get it down and pass it and keep it wide to make them chase it, but it was a lively surface.

“You have to make sure you do the right things on a pitch like that. It was very rare we tried to pass it and when we did, we got caught on it a couple of times.

“It was important to put the ball in the right areas and when you have willing runners like Pawel Abbott, Tom Eaves and Lewis Guy it gets you out and into their half.

“We have had two games in hand now, here and against Leyton Orient, and we have picked maximum points up. So it is a big win for us.”

Penney paid tribute to pacy new loan striker Lewis Guy, who won the all-important penalty on debut for the club.

“Lewis has got bags of energy and is a good footballer, though it is difficult to play on this pitch,” added Penney, whose side are up to 17th in Coca-Cola League One.

“He harasses defenders and managed to get a penalty for us. We are pleased with him and he came off with cramp with just over 20 minutes to go.

“He put a real shift in for us. He unsettles defenders and that is what we wanted and why he won the penalty.”

The result leaves Athletic unbeaten in the last four games and with Brighton to come at Boundary Park on Saturday, the manager warned it won’t be an easy task extending that sequence.

“They had a good 3-0 home win against Brentford and play well away from home,” Penney said.

“They spent a lot of money on players and are a good side and their position is a little bit false too.

“It is a big game for us and it is important we take points from it.”