Show of spirit

GET IN! Jose Baxter celebrates his equaliser against Colchester. PICTURE: VINCENT BROWN

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson praised the way his players responded to a first-half setback to earn a valuable home point against Colchester.

An awful error from goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis presented the visitors to Boundary Park with the opening goal.

But a strong response in the second half brought about an equaliser through Jose Baxter’s neat header, his 14th goal of a productive season.

With Scunthorpe losing 1-0 at Bournemouth, Athletic have hauled themselves back out of the relegation zone.

Athletic also have the benefit of two games in hand over the Iron, and a superior goal difference.

“Poor Bouzy was distraught and there is no doubt it was a bad error,” said Johnson, whose thoughts are now focused on Saturday’s home clash with Carlisle.

“You saw when Jose scored, they were all really keen to say ‘that was for you, Bouzy’. It is good, as it shows team spirit.”

Teenager Drey Wright netted for the visitors after Bouzanis had spilled an Andy Bond shot right into his path, but Johnson didn’t point the finger of blame at the rock-hard playing surface.

“I don’t think it was the pitch,” he added. “I think it was a momentary lapse in concentration.

“It happens with goalkeepers. The important thing was that everyone looked after him and they did.”

After the visit of the Cumbrians this weekend, Athletic are in action at Preston tomorrow week and Bury the following Saturday.

Safety from relegation remains in Oldham’s hands.

“There are big games to come and we have to keep chipping away,” said Johnson. “We are up for it and looking forward to the fight.”

Matt Smith was left out of the matchday squad yesterday, with Johnson explaining that the striker was below par after picking up a knee injury as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Swindon on Good Friday.

The manager planned to give him a run-out in the reserves today against Walsall at Chapel Road (1pm kick-off).

“No doubt he will be a big player for us and I expect him to be in the fray for Saturday’s game,” said Johnson of Smith.



mattchambers@oldham-chronicle.co.uk