Easy as 1-2-3 for Danny in Latics’ cup prep

CONFIDENCE BOOST . . . Danny Philliskirk will go into the FA Cup-tie in great spirits.

ATHLETIC hit the goal trail as preparations continued for the crunch FA Cup tie at Mansfield.

In a practice match against Burnley’s development squad, Athletic completed an amazing turn round to win 5-4 — despite being 4-1 down entering the final 10 minutes.

Danny Philliskirk scored a hat-trick, Mark Yeates grabbed a goal and Joseph Mills hit a last-minute winner with a free-kick.

Though the contest was a training exercise — Athletic used 20 players in total — getting into a scoring groove is useful ahead of Saturday’s first-round clash at Field Mill. Neither Mansfield nor Athletic have scored in their last two games.

Getting to the next stage and being a step away from a potentially lucrative third-round tie is particularly vital, given Athletic’s forthcoming fixtures.

Following the Burton home game which attracted a crowd of only 3,795 – the second-lowest attendance of the season so far – there are only three more home matches left before Christmas.

Barnsley and Southend arrive later this month and Millwall arrive mid-December. Only the game against former boss Lee Johnson’s Tykes promises a high bumper attendance and income.

Meanwhile, on-loan midfielder Jay Fulton is a doubt for Athletic’s next two matches. At this stage it isn’t clear if he will be allowed by parent club Swansea to play for Athletic at Mansfield.