Just what the doctor ordered

Photo: Alan Howarth

THAT’S MINE . . . Athletic goalkeeper Mark Oxley grabs the ball close to his chest to deny Accrington’s Danny Webber.

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ACCRINGTON 1, ATHLETIC 1
ATHLETIC won a hard-earned draw against rugged and determined opponents.

While Lee Johnson’s team looked the more creative and produced slicker football, a direct and motivated Accrington outfit matched them for goals and clear chances.

As an exercise with Saturday week’s Sky Bet League One opener against Stevenage in mind, this tough encounter was just what the team needed, though more ruthless finishing will be needed when the real action gets under way.

Jose Baxter made it two goals in as many games with an equaliser for Athletic, who should have clinched victory late on with three clear shooting chances in the box.

Accrington opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a strike from teenager Luke Clark. Having conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box, Athletic’s defenders watched helplessly as Clark’s daisycutter found the corner of the net via a deflection.

At the other end, Cristian Montano saw his goal-bound volley from 10 yards deflected to safety, and James Weslowski’s drive from 25 yards land wide of the goal.

Though billed as a friendly, the League Two side was very much up for a battle and harried Athletic with vigorous early challenges.

Athletic were determined to stick to their pass and move philosophy and went close to equalising when Wesolowski’s low drive was well kept out by Dunbavin.

Montano provided the service which led to Athletic’s equaliser in the 41st minute. His cross was flicked on by the increasingly-influential James Tarkowski and Baxter finished emphatically from the centre of the penalty box as Athletic finished the first half on top.

Accrington continued to pose a threat and left-back Laurence Wilson forced a decent save low to his left from Oxley.

There was still time for Athletic to grab a winner but a slick move ended with a spot of pinball involving MacDonald, Clarke-Harris and Jonathan Grounds. Dunbavin and his desperate defenders kept them out as an entertaining friendly ended with a fair scoreline.