Super subs find the key

Photo: Picture: ALAN HOWARTH

HIGH RISE: Robbie Simpson gets above the Bury defence to power in a header, but it was Matt Smith who eventually broke the deadlock.

Bury 0, Athletic 1

Millar and Smith give Latics crucial victory

AS Greater Manchester derbies go, this was far from the most high-profile game recently.

But few could doubt the relative importance of the occasion or the passion on display at Gigg Lane.

And no one displayed it more than Matt Smith, who came up trumps on the big occasion again.

On as an impact substitute along with Kirk Millar, the pair – with David Mellor, making a rare appearance – fashioned the only goal of a game severely low on quality.

Newly-svelte Mellor floated a pass down the left in the 79th minute, which Millar chased down.

Nutmegging the Bury defender, an early cross whipped into the centre by the 20-year-old was met by a meaty header from Smith eight yards out.

There was never any danger of the big man missing. Duly dispatched for his ninth goal of the season, huge celebrations followed directly behind the goal where the 2,073 Athletic fans who had managed to get into the ground stood. Athletic’s staff joined them in displaying joy and relief.

The Shakers had to win to stay up; Athletic’s desire to be movers in the division next year meant they too had to win.

With Jose Baxter sitting out a two-game ban and Wesolowski injured, Into the side came Mellor, Connor Brown, James Tarkowski and Cristian Montano. Out also went injury victim Cliff Byrne and Bobby Reid. Robbie Simpson played as captain.

The opening half was turgid. Bury penned Athletic in but rarely looked like scoring. At the other end, Athletic were competitive, but lacked cohesion going forward.

The visitors’ best effort was Montano’s low drive which was held by Cameron Belford early on, while Robbie Simpson also headed a Montano cross over when off-balance.

With Lee Croft providing plenty of energy once again, Athletic improved after the interval.

Simpson and Lee Barnard were sacrificed for a new front two - Millar and Smith - after 64 minutes and the move was a masterstroke.

Rock-like at the back, Jean-Yves Mvoto took the armband and the substitutes embraced the responsibility of lifting Athletic’s collective spirits.

The celebrations at the final whistle said it all. This one mattered, and while it doesn’t guarantee Athletic’s safety it provides plenty of impetus for the challenges still to come.