Unbeated run stretched to nine games

Last updated : 16 December 2007 By Dave Moore

Athletic stretched their unbeaten run to nine games with a 2-3 victory at the Den, their first win in the Capital since November 2002. Lee Hughes did the damage with a remarkable hat-trick, but he had to suffer the wrath of the Millwall supporters who barracked him constantly.

The Latics had to fight back from a 2-1 deficit but they showed plenty of character and dug deep to secure the victory against the odds. Both sides were reduced to ten men in a bizarre game full of controversy, one in which Neal Eardley (pictured) was dismissed for a reason which nobody understands.

Latics boss John Sheridan couldn't understand many of the decisions and he told Latics World, "There was a bit of controversy in that one with the two sent off. I've no idea what for. They were never red cards in my eyes, but that's the rules. I'm just pleased we've come out and ended up winning the game. It's ridiculous. Their lad's scored a goal and should celebrate it. The rules are there and obviously that helped us, but I don't like to see that happen, even to opponents. Then Neal's been sent off just for clenching his fists in celebration of our goal. It's very disappointing, but I don't want to talk about it too much."

"I'm very pleased for Lee, and his first and third were real striker's goals, though I didn't see what the penalty was for. We started very well and went a goal in front, but then we switched off for some reason and that's very frustrating. They came back into it and took the lead, and I said some things at half time because I wasn't happy with our last 20 minutes of the half. Full credit to Millwall, they fought hard for each other and gave us a very hard game. They played some excellent football with ten men, created one or two opportunities and fought us all the way. But my lads showed character to come back from 2-1 down against ten men, and I'm pleased we won after going behind."