Smalley’s reminder to Dickov

DEANE Smalley was Athletic's match-winner last night in a reserves clash which presented hints about boss Paul Dickov's thinking for this weekend.

Starting up front alongside Kirk Millar, Smalley turned on the edge of the penalty area and neatly lobbed home the only goal of an entertaining totesport.com League game against Bury 13 minutes from time.

By that stage, Athletic were down to 10 men after Jon Worthington had picked up two bookings midway through the second half.

Intriguingly, Sean Gregan — yet to appear for the first team this season — and the back-from-injury Lewis Alessandra were withdrawn just short of the hour mark.

As Dickov and his assistant Gerry Taggart dig down into the causes of the defensive lapses which cost Athletic Saturday’s League One game against Peterborough, the time could be right for centre-back Gregan's experience to be called upon when Bournemouth visit Boundary Park on Saturday.

In addition to Smalley, Gregan was the only player in Athletic’s matchday squad at Peterborough to appear last night for Lee Duxbury's men.

It may be too soon for Alessandra to come straight back into the side for the Bournemouth game, particularly with Chris Taylor having found form on the left of midfield.

Alessandra is more likely to get a place on the substitutes' bench.

Bournemouth, sitting third in npower League One, will arrive at Boundary Park full of confidence with only one defeat in six games since promotion.

And Athletic's defence will need to be on top form to keep out Eddie Howe's bright attacking unit, with only table-topping Peterborough able to match the Cherries' goal tally of 16.