Gregan’s cup hopes rocked by ’keeper heroics

SEAN Gregan's Fleetwood Town found Walsall goalkeeper Jimmy Walker a tough nut to crack in the FA Cup first round replay at the Bescot Stadium.

Following a 1-1 draw at Highbury, the Conference National side put up a good show in the second clash against the npower League One basement side, but couldn't find a way past the 37-year-old 'keeper who made a string of excellent saves.

And two second-half goals from Reuben Reid sealed the tie for the Saddlers.

It leaves Gregan — who didn't feature in the replay, but is at Fleetwood on loan until January — concentrating on plotting a route to the Football League.

And after making one brief appearance for Athletic before the move closer to his Preston home, the 36-year-old feels he is getting back into the swing of things following five straight appearances.

"I'm enjoying it," Gregan told the Blackpool Gazette. "The Rushden game on Saturday was one of my better games.

“I'm getting fitter and stronger after not playing for a long time."

Two Athletic players still involved in the FA Cup are Deane Smalley and Kelvin Lomax.

The duo are on three-month loans at Chesterfield, who face an away game at Burton on Saturday week in the second round.

Smalley has so far come off the substitutes' bench once for Spireites boss John Sheridan, while Lomax has three appearances to his name for the League Two leaders, including two from the start.

Rob Purdie is also scheduled to play in the second round of the competition.

On loan at Hereford, the midfielder — who has not made a single first-team appearance for Athletic in a Boundary Park career savaged by injury — has scored three goals in four matches.

On a three-month loan, Purdie is set to be part of the Bulls side which takes on Lincoln at home in round two.