Athletic are safe! A 2-2 home draw with Southend guarantees that the Latics will still be playing League One football next season. However, the result was not as good news for their opponents and it also guarantees their relegation. It took just two minutes for Whittaker (pictured) to put the Latics in the lead but Laurent equalised just four minutes later. Black gave the home side the lead again just before the break but a Mvoto goal in the 75th. minute ensured that the points would be shared. The draw also increased Athletic's unbeaten run to five matches.
Manager Dave Penney commented, "It was a tired performance, especially the two in midfield who looked jaded and were not bright and sharp as they have been. I suppose you could put it down to the tough game we had at Southampton and the distance we travelled in midweek, but we are disappointed not to have won, especially after having a great start. We didn't have enough fresh legs to be dynamic enough to win the game and you have to remember that was our seventh game in 22 days."
"We didn't want to be in a relegation position to start with so there is no jumping up and down and celebrating. We scored two good goals, but were not ruthless enough and did not work their keeper enough in the second half."