Athletic claim win at Buxton
On their last three trips to Buxton, Boro had crashed 5-0, 4-1 and 5-1 in the NPL, but Tuesday's National League North clash saw them return home with a deserved 1-0 win.
The victory came courtesy of a terrific strike from Luca Colvillelateinthefirsthalfcoupled with a brilliant save from keeper Joe Cracknell midway through the second half.
Boss Jono Greening said: “The lads were absolutely terrific tonight, an unbelievable performance from all of them, especially after a day at work and a tough four and a bit hour trip to get here.
"There’s not much more I can say about these boys, they’re a great bunch to have, the staff as well, everyone is singing off the same hymnsheet. Today we showed a gritty side, a determined side, but when we counter-attack we cancauseanyteamproblems.”
In a closely contested first half, Boro played some delightful passing football and deserved their interval lead.
Both Kieran Burton and AshJacksonblockedstrikesat goal,Cracknellgatheredacouple of dangerous crosses into his box, and Kieran Weledji did well to cut out a cross from Connor Kirby.
Boro created the better chances in the first half, with Kieran Glynn and Colville in majestic form on the ball.
Lewis Maloney had two shots charged down by defenders, Dom Tear fired narrowly wide after a precise pass fromGlynn,andBradPlantimpressed with his tremendous work rate.
They took the lead on 37 minuteswhenMaloneypassed to Colville, who netted with a terrific strike that flew past home keeper Richardson.
The second half began in pouringrain,andJacksonfired wide before Buxton were denied a 63rd minute equaliser when Cracknell pulled off a stunning point-blank save to
keep out a bullet header from Jason Gilchrist.
Maloney curled a free-kick round the wall but just over, and Bailey Gooda headed straight at the keeper as Boro looked to increase their lead. Then Glynn was fouled after a surging run, and Maloney's free-kickbeatathree-manwall but landed on top of the net.
Goodaheadedacrossclear, Gilchrist had a shot saved by Cracknell, and Burton got in a strong block late, as Boro defended superbly, and comfortably held on for a second successive, hugely impressive away win to climb to third in National League North.
Boro travel to Marine in the FA Trophy this Saturday.