Set-piece errors so frustrating for boss

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov was disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded two goals, but believes the visitors deserved to return home with at least a point.

Ashley Barnes headed an equaliser from a corner in first-half stoppage time, and substitute Francisco Sandaza won the game with virtually the last kick of the game from another corner six minutes into injury time.

Dickov said: "Obviously it is very disappointing to concede from two corners, both in injury time. We work on defending set pieces a lot.

"We can't change what has happened here and have to move on, but I believe we deserved at least a point. It could have been a different outcome, but their goalkeeper was very good.

"Brighton are a good team. We came here and made an impression. Oumare Tounkara and Chris Taylor were a handful all afternoon.

"There are plenty of positives to take from the match.

"Our goal was a great finish from Lewis Alessandra and let's not forget, it was a great move, too, with Chris breaking away and playing a good ball.

"We have been encouraging Lewis to shoot more because he is a very good finisher.

"Chris was playing in a different role behind the striker and he did well. He is a clever footballer which makes him hard to pick up. He worries defenders which is a good thing for us."

Dickov was frustrated by the performance of referee Andy Penn and felt Athletic could have been awarded two penalties.

"Oumare went over in the first-half. It looked like a penalty to me," he said.

"In the second-half, Kieran Lee was pulled back but he was honest and stayed on his feet.

"I felt the referee held back both sides with certain decisions he made. All we want to see from officials is consistency, and I don't feel we got that."

Despite the last-gasp defeat, Dickov expects his men to bounce back in tomorrow's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

He added: "It won't be hard to lift the boys because they are a great bunch who work their socks off.

"A win in Sheffield would take us back into the top six. We have a good chance if we put in the same amount of effort we have been doing."

The Scot was also keen to praise the 152 Athletic die-hards who made the long trip to the South Coast.

"They were fantastic again today. They have come a long way to show their support. The fans have been brilliant all season," he said.


Latics’ next game: tomorrow, Sheffield Wednesday, away, npower League One


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