Alexander fumes as Cod Army are sunk
GRAHAM Alexander was left fuming after his side were denied a stoppagetime penalty in their narrow defeat at Oldham.
Danny Philliskirk’s low finish after 37 minutes earned a first three points of the season for the home side at Boundary Park.
But the visitors failed to convert a host of chances of their own, leaving Alexander bemoaning the lack of a killer touch.
He was also unhappy with referee Chris Sarginson’s refusal to point to the spot after Oldham right-back Connor Brown appeared to trip David Ball.
“It was a definite penalty,” said Alexander, whose side are still awaiting their first win of the season.
“Dave Ball got in front of his man, the lad has tried to clear the ball and he took the back of Bally’s legs.
“I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall, as the same thing happened to us here last season and also on numerous other occasions.
“It is par for the course for us.We had one penalty all last season, the lowest in League One, and it doesn’t look like it is going to change.”
Antoni Sarcevic and Stephen Jordan both went close for the visitors, who started the game on the front foot, before Rhys Turner flicked into Philliskirk’s path straight from a goal kick to open the scoring.
“The goal we conceded was extremely poor,” Alexander added.
“It was a straight kick from the goalkeeper, the centre-forward flicks it on to the other one and it is in. It was that simple and that poor.”
Fleetwood’s Bobby Grant failed to connect properly with a secondhalf volley and team-mate Danny Andrew saw his header well saved by Oldham goalkeeper Joel Coleman. While at the other end Lee Croft was wasteful from close range.
Oldham boss Darren Kelly was left a relieved man as his side somehow kept a clean sheet, pushing the club into the play-off places in the early standings.
“It wasn’t the best performance, if I am being honest, but I will take a win like that every day of the week,” Kelly said.
“We kept a clean sheet and the players battled hard from start to finish. I suppose we got that little bit of luck.
“I am absolutely delighted with the 1-0 win.We have to defend well and keep clean sheets if we want to do well in the league.
“Credit to the players, they battled through and did everything that was asked of them.
“Danny Philliskirk has a bit of everything and he has been superb in training and superb in games.
“He offers the attacking and defensive side, so it’s a big plus for the team and he got his rewards for his hard work and energy.”