Latics hit self-destruct again

MATT Smith's header put Athletic in front.

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Chesterfield 2, Athletic 1
A SHAMBOLIC second-half display from Athletic led to an early exit from the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last night at the hands of a team without a manager.

Chesterfield, with former Athletic man Tommy Wright in temporary charge after John Sheridan’s sacking last week, won this first-round tie thanks to Matt Smith’s own goal in added time.

It was the first time the Spireites, 19th in their division, had won this season.

Smith had earlier netted at the right end with a typically conclusive header at the midway point of the opening half.

Once again, at a goal to the good Paul Dickov’s men had looked in control of proceedings.

Once again, a horrific defensive clanger gave the opposition a goal.

And once again, after the error arrived — this time from a visibly devastated Carl Winchester — the team revealed itelf as alarming fragile at heart in the second half.

It could have been worse than 2-1.

Jonathan Grounds bundled into the back of Marc Richards to concede a penalty after 61 minutes which Bouzanis saved brilliantly.

Whitaker was the taker, and he was also denied five minutes later when Bouzanis stopped a lowshot with his feet.

Youssouf Mchangama, smashed a couple of shots that worried Tommy Lee in the home goal and the Spireites’ goalkeeper was beaten by a superb long-range Connor Hughes strike which rattled the crossbar after 86 minutes.

But it is difficult to deny that Wright’s men deserved their winning goal. That it came from the head of Smith, one of the hardest-working players in an Athletic shirt, was unfortunate.

The half-time whstle is becoming a sound Athletic players must dread.



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