Triumph over adversity

Photo: Pictures by ALAN HOWARTH

Matt Smith, who had an excellent game up front, gives Scunthorpe’s Damien Mozika a hard time.

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Latics shrug off setbacks to earn deserved point

ATHLETIC will reflect on a good point here.

After the behind-the-scenes action, with Paul Dickov losing most of his coaching team, at two goals down few would have predicted leaving Glanford Park with a draw.

James Wesolowski’s red card – impetuous rather than malicious, the midfielder judged harshly – was one of several contentious decisions by referee Richard Clark.

Wesolowski’s three-game suspension, particularly with midfield partner Dean Furman heading off to the African Nations Cup after Saturday’s FA Cup-tie at Nottingham Forest, will mean the impact of this contest will be long lasting. But so should the positive aspects of a fighting display.

Matt Smith, bandaged and bouncing defenders away with his large frame, was particularly effective. He set up both goals; first, by climbing to nod down for ex-Scunthorpe defender Cliff Byrne to halve the arrears in the first period.

Next he was pulled and shoved by a defender to earn the penalty, neatly put away by Jose Baxter to level the score.

Again the mercurial Baxter, now on 10 goals for the season, elevated the humble penalty to an art form. The striker gently chipped the ball down the centre of the goal vacated by diving, outfoxed keeper Sam Slocombe. A heck of a goal, given the pressure he was under.

Baxter showed he is not only the best footballer Athletic have had for years, but also the cockiest. At one point he responded to a shirt-pull by pulling his jersey over his head and offering it to the offender.

As a package, Bootle boy Baxter is tailored for adulation. Please stay!

Athletic stuttered in the early part of this contest. Brian Laws’ men opened the scoring on the quarter-hour. A quick free-kick caught Athletic’s defence napping and after Jimmy Ryan’s shot was pushed away by Bouzanis, Niall Canavan followed up to poke home.

Three minutes later, Scunthorpe broke from an Athletic corner to make it 2-0. Duffy raced down the left flank and had his poor cross presented straight back to his feet by a misdirected Jonathan Grounds clearance.

Athletic were shell-shocked, but after Smith had one of a number of headers saved low, Byrne scored.

Athletic started the second half as they ended the first, on the front foot; frantic fare with real chances.

Then came the penalty, and Athletic made the most of the chance.

Back level, Dickov’s men looked good value to claim three points - but then came Wesolowski’s red card and with it, a shift of priorities to preservation.