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Turf Moor trip for Latics

14/ 8/2008

LATICS boss John Sheridan was not too upset to be handed a return to the scene of last season's Carling Cup exit.

Wednesday night's draw for round two saw Sheridan's former Sheffield Wednesday manager Trevor Francis give Latics an away trip to Burnley, where Athletic were beaten 3-0 at the same stage 12 months ago.

The three-goal victory flattered the Clarets in the eyes of everyone at Boundary Park with the manager hoping for a change of fortune this time around.

Sheridan said: “It's funny how it turns out but I don't mind it, I think it's a decent game.

“We could have been 2-0 up last year but I think we'll take a few fans there and we'll be the underdogs against a team higher than us.

“We've got nothing to lose and I think we can go there and cause them problems.“

Latics progressed into round two following a 4-1 victory on penalties against Rochdale on Tuesday night at Spotland.

They did it the hard way though, watching Lee Hughes miss a first-half spot kick and then seeing Craig Davies sent off with half-time approaching following an altercation with Nathan Stanton.

One of the penalty heroes, Neal Eardley, believed the victory highlighted the team spirit among the players.

He said: “It was a long night! Craig being sent off made it a bit more difficult for us but I think we showed character to play with 10 men against a good Rochdale team that moved the ball well.

“The gaffer asked who wanted to take a penalty and I put my name forward. I was happy to go first and I was confident I was going to score.

“Burnley's not the best draw because we obviously wanted a Premiership team but we have to concentrate on that game and hopefully progress into the next round.

“I remember the game last season because we did alright that night and I thought we were unlucky to come away from there with a 3-0 defeat. We'll go there confident and hopefully get through to the next round.”

The match at Burnley will be played during the week commencing Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.