The Latics fell foul to an impressive Middlesbrough team and were eliminated from the first round of the League Cup for the seventh successive season. Boro were leading 3-0 and it looked like a repeat result from last seasons corresponding encounter but a Danny Philliskirk header in injury time gave the home side a consolation goal.
Manager Kelly admitted that he admired the way that Boro had disposed of his charges. He said, “We do things like that in training but when you are doing it on the stage, that’s what it’s about. Some of their movement and quick play was great to watch and at times we couldn't deal with that. The one thing I always ask of the players is that they work hard, and they worked tirelessly. All credit to Middlesbrough. They are an excellent side and no doubt they will do very well this season.”
“We finished well, which is very pleasing. Overall we created good chances but as we all know, it is about goals and we struggled to find them. We finished by making their goalkeeper produce a few good saves. It was good to finish on a positive.”
Goalkeeper David Cornell gave away and saved an early penalty and Kelly commented, “It was a great save but he’s more than capable of dealing with those kind of saves.”