Goal hero’s just reward

JAMES Dayton’s solo strike was the highlight of a victory for Athletic that guaranteed safety from relegation - and plunged Carlisle deeper in trouble.

The substitute winger cut in from the right flank and poked home to make it eight matches unbeaten for Lee Johnson’s side.

“I am really pleased for him, as he has had an up-and-down season, personally,” said Johnson.

“He’s a very good player and he hasn’t been able to show that enough. We had a spell where we lost one in 11 and he was fit and flying and all that was good about us.”

Dayton could get a chance to impress from the start against Sheffield United tomorrow night, though that would bring to an end a sequence of seven games in succession in which the same starting XI has been named.

Athletic’s manager wants to stretch the unbeaten run to 10 games by the time Notts County have departed Boundary Park on Saturday, while also giving opportunities to some fringe players.

“Our approach now is exactly the same. We want to continue the run,” he said.

“We want to score goals at home and probably haven’t scored enough. Can we play with that bit more freedom? We can, but at the same time I want to keep the unbeaten run going.”

With 54 points - three better than last season’s final total – Athletic’s manager publicly thanked his squad for their help.

“I’m delighted for everyone associated with the club,” he added. “We have had some high hurdles to overcome this year and it has been tough. We were favourites for relegation at the start of the year; hopefully next year can be a lot smoother.”