No let-up in battle to beat drop — Penney

NOT safe yet: That is the message put out by Dave Penney after another vital three points in the battle against the drop.

Second-half goals from Lewis Guy and Dale Stephens helped Athletic to a 2-1 Coca-Cola League One win at Carlisle’s Brunton Park, taking the team to the 50-point total many had thought pre-match would be enough to avoid relegation.

As it turned out, victories for Wycombe, Tranmere, Gillingham and Leyton Orient on Saturday put Athletic in a situation where, with four games left to play, security is not yet assured.

But a defeat for Tranmere at Brentford tomorrow night, coupled with an Athletic win at in-form Southampton, would see Penney effectively able to start planning for next season as a result of Rovers’ far inferior goal difference.

“People have told me that 50 points is enough, but I am not sure it is after seeing the other results,” said Penney, whose side have now lost only once in their last five games.

“I have never put a target on what we want to achieve. I read in the press that I have said 50 is enough, but it seems it is not.

“Southampton are flying at the moment and are probably the best team in this division. So it is going to be tough but it should be a nice pitch at a a decent ground and we will raise ourselves for the game, that is for sure.”

Right-back Alex Marrow was taken off in the first half at Carlisle after slightly twisting his ankle, but he should be fit enough to get on the team coach for the trip south tomorrow.

Young winger Kirk Millar recovered from his calf injury to take a place on the bench at Brunton Park and will hope to be involved tomorrow.

The Southampton game promises to be a better spectacle than at Carlisle, where adverse conditions resulted in an unattractive contest.

“It was tough up at Carlisle,” Penney added.

“There wasn’t much football played as the pitch was awful and it was blowing a gale. But we battled away. In the first half, it was a non-event for both sides.

“We had a bit of a reaction after half-time and managed to get ourselves 2-0 up.

“We then conceded from a corner. They had the wind and were knocking long balls into our box but as usual, Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell were there to head them away.”