Another monkey off their backs

Last updated : 28 November 2007 By The Chairman

Athletic finally got another monkey off their back with a resounding 1-2 FA Cup replay success at the Keepmoat Stadium, their first ever victory at Doncaster. They had to come from a goal behind and Doncaster hadn't lost in eleven previous games so it was a great result. Mark McCammon put the home side ahead in the 26th. minute but a 35 yard rocket from Neil Kilkenny (pictured) just before the half levelled the scores. Gary McDonald was the hero in the second half when he scored the winner minutes after the restart. The Latics will now entertain Crewe Alexandra in the second round this coming Saturday.

John Sheridan couldn't be anything but delighted and he told Latics World, "Obviously I enjoyed it, but I was getting a bit agitated towards the end! I thought we played very well. Doncaster are a good footballing side and we matched them. We scored two very good goals, again we're scoring from other areas and that's important. Doncaster played most of their football in front of us. We knew they have very good players and that we had to get in and amongst them, and we did that. We forced them into one or two long balls and that's not their strength. We kept their better players quiet and I think our game plan worked very well."

"We can beat anyone in this division on our day. I've got a very young team who can be a little naive at times, but I try to give them as much belief as possible. As a manager they know I will give them a chance, it doesn't matter how old they are. If they've got belief then that will stand this club in good stead for the future. Some of the youngsters are in the team now and they've had to grow up fast, and tonight they showed their ugly side and worked their socks off for the team. It was a great team display tonight. We changed our formation a little and the players listened well and stuck to what they had to do."