John Sheridan was pleased to finish the home campaign on a positive note with a 2-1 win over Cheltenham.

Town go into the last round of fixtures just two points outside the relegation zone after they failed to overcome a Latics side who have gone from strength to strength on their own patch.

The victory was Athletic's third consecutive three-point haul at Boundary Park and it lifts them back into the top ten with one game remaining.

Deane Smalley opened the scoring with his first League goal, and fellow youth team product Lewis Alessandra wrapped up the points late on after Steven Gillespie equalised from the penalty spot.

Sheridan told Latics World: "We played well, especially in the first half.

"The players tried to pass the ball around and it was a decent performance against a team fighting for something at the bottom.

"We deserved the win today -- Cheltenham had one or two opportunities but we played some good stuff.

"To have two young lads score is very pleasing and I'm delighted that Deane [Smalley] has got his first League goal.

"It was a great finish for his goal; some of the lads were saying Matty Wolfenden's initial shot was over the line but I was too far away to see.

"But Deane's hit the target and he deserves the goal because he played well, especially in the first half."

Sheridan was disappointed with the penalty decision which let Cheltenham back into the game, describing the call as 'harsh'.

But he was happy to sign off at home for another season with a victory, secured after Alessandra swooped late on.

"The penalty gave Cheltenham a lifeline given their situation, but we got a scrappy goal in the end and we've not scored too many of those this seaso

"I'm just pleased we've gone out and won the game, and I think we've finished the season strongly at home."