Johnson’s misery at last-gasp sickener

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson felt the pain as his side slipped to a last-gasp defeat at MK Dons.

After taking the lead through an Adam Lockwood header, the visitors to Stadium MK wasted several great chances to add more goals.

Samir Carruthers levelled for Dons early in the second half and after Genseric Kusunga had been sent off in the 65th minute, an added-time tap-in by Ben Reeves sealed the points for the home side.

Johnson, who cut a furious and frustrated figure in the post-match press conference, said: “It was a real gut-wrencher, wasn’t it? The boys were fantastic.

“We had really good chances. It is just so gut-wrenching the way it panned out in the last couple of minutes.”

The manager offered praise to his centre-back pairing, both of whom had a hand in creating Athletic’s goal.

Lockwood headed in from Harkins’ cross after James Wilson had won the free-kick that led to it.

“He has been great,” said Johnson of Lockwood. “He played very well again and he and James Wilson are getting stronger and stronger.”

Johnson pointed to two costly second-half misses, the first when Harkins went for glory and pulled his shot wide, the second when Danny Philliskirk was wasteful.

“Jon Stead was there for an absolute tap-in open goal,” said Athletic’s manager of Harkins' chance.

“I was frustrated at that and Philliskirk had one where we had an overload of around five in the box and he ended up taking a wild shot.”