Dickov urges positive response to defeat

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov challenged his distraught players to pick themselves up and produce a positive reaction after the heartbreak of missing out on a memorable trip to Wembley.

The Scot saw his side spurn a string of chances as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final second leg last night, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

The hosts had 25 attempts on goal — 10 of which were on target — but still failed to book a date at the ‘home of football’.

Jack Lester scored the only goal of the game in the dying minutes following a mix-up between Alex Cisak and Jean Yves-Mvoto.

Dickov praised the effort his men demonstrated throughout the contest, but is already turning his attention to the rest of the season, and

climbing away from their current position of 16th in the npower League One table.

He said: “Obviously it is disappointing to go out at this stage.

“It was a case of ‘everything but’ in the end, having missed so many chances not just in this game but also in the first leg at Chesterfield.

“I am disappointed for the players, the chairman, the fans and everyone connected with the club. The boys gave their all throughout the game, but it did not happen and we have to deal with that.

“It hurts at the moment, but we need to move past that quickly and focus on what comes next, which is the league.

“It should not be hard for the players to pick themselves up because at the end of the day they are professional footballers and this is what they do. They are paid to deal with these situations.”

With more than 40 attempts on goal over the two legs bringing a return of just one goal, focus inevitably turned to Athletic's failings in the final third.

Striker Reuben Reid is edging closer to a return to full fitness, which could provide a breather for out-of-sorts target man Shefki Kuqi.

The giant Finn made a flying start to his Boundary Park career, but has not found the net in two months.

Despite his usual tireless approach and impressive workrate, he cut a frustrated figure against Chesterfield and chastised himself after he bungled a close-range effort in the first half.

Dickov added: “I wish I knew why we are missing so many chances at the moment, particularly over the two legs against Chesterfield.

“The only answer is to work hard on the training ground and on match day.”