Scunthorpe United: Alan Knill pleased with Iron's character in draw with Oldham
After a second half which saw them on the back foot, Scunthorpe United manager Alan Knill said he was impressed by his team's battling spirit at Oldham.
The Iron had the better of the first half and took the lead through Leon Clarke's third goal in as many games early on.
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IMPRESSED: Iron boss Alan Knill was delighted with his side's first half performance at Oldham
However, despite several chances, they failed to increase their advantage and were pegged back just before half-time when Matt Derbyshire levelled for Athletic.
The hosts went on to apply the pressure after the interval – including having a goal disallowed in added time – but Knill was delighted to see his side stand firm.
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"It was a difficult game, the second half especially," he said.
"I thought first half we were excellent, moved the ball around and created so many chances.
"It's just disappointing when you create all those chances and don't take them, we could have been two or three up.
"But we weren't and then conceded just on half-time – and you know what's coming in the second half.
"It was the same last Saturday (at Shrewsbury). We all came in at half-time thinking we should be three up and we're not.
"It just puts a bit of pressure on because you know the home team are going to have a real go second half.
"The good thing is we've come away with a point.
"We showed real good character and a real effort from the team to keep the ball out of our net. You can't ask for any more than that.
"I thought we were excellent first half, we just couldn't keep that tempo going in the second half.
"But we're getting there, I think.
"You always know it's going to be a tough game at Oldham and second half it certainly was.
"They put a lot of balls in our box, but we did enough to keep it out the net when we had to and we're delighted in the end with a point."
Once again the manager was impressed with the strike force of Clarke and Karl Hawley, who have played a key role in United's three-match unbeaten run.
"They were really good again in the first half, they just ran out of steam a little bit second half, which is natural because they've not played many games," Knill added.
"But I think they're a real handful, their movement is so good and Leon… three in three, we couldn't ask for any more.
"They've just made a difference to the team and it looks like we can score, which is the most important thing.
"I just think collectively we're getting better.
"It's important that everybody believes that when we go forward we look a threat – and we do at the moment.
"It just takes so much pressure off everybody else.
"You might concede a goal but you always think, 'well, we can score as well'.
"That's the plus side."
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