Stoppage-time sickener undeserved, insists boss

TOTAL DESPAIR: Athletic winger Filipe Morais shows his feelings at the final whistle.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov felt that a third defeat in eight days for his men was a harsh judgement following a gutsy effort.

Despite matching up physically to a strong Stevenage side at the Lamex Stadium, an added-time header from Lawrie Wilson secured the points to leave the visitors nursing a fresh wound to go with those sustained in defeats to Scunthorpe and Yeovil.

The setback leaves Athletic 14th – and serves to add extra spice to the derby clash with Rochdale at Spotland this weekend, as Dickov’s men bid to turn around their barren run.

“It is very hard to take,” Dickov said, following a seventh away defeat of the npower League One campaign.

“After the disappointment of Saturday (against Yeovil), we more than matched a team who have one of the best home records in the division.

“It is a very hard place to come to and to come away with nothing is very

disappointing – because I don’t think the boys deserved that.

“Late on, a hopeful ball has been put into the box and their guy (Wilson) has made a late run and got his header in.

“Up until that point, I know they had a few long-range shots but Alex (Cisak) wasn’t really tested.

“Our back four stood up to the test well. They are a big, physical team. but any balls that came into the box were dealt with well.

“It was a real sickener. Maybe I have come out before and defended the boys when they didn’t deserve it, but here anyone at the game could see they didn’t deserve to lose.”

Dickov also felt that referee Fred Graham, who let the game flow throughout, got two big decisions wrong towards the end. After Wilson’s goal, Athletic appealed for a handball in the penalty area as a group of bodies climbed to meet Filipe Morais’ corner.

“I think James Tarkowski was fouled just before their goal and I think everyone in the ground saw it was handball there at the end,” added Dickov.”

Youssouf Mchangama played the full game on his first start for the club, as did midfield partner Tom Adeyemi, who has extended his loan from Norwich until April 9.

Zander Diamond limped out of the game after only 14 minutes and was replaced by Tarkowski. The teenager had been rested by Dickov.

“Zander felt his thigh again, which is disappointing as he did well coming back on Saturday,” Dickov said of his stand-in captain.