Manager John Sheridan felt yesterday’s game against Curzon Ashton was a good workout for his players.
Aaron Amadi-Holloway put Athletic ahead a minute into the second half before Daniel Shaw equalised just after the hour mark.
However, the manager admitted the result was not important and it was all about getting minutes under their belts.
He said: “It’s all about having a good work out. It was a good work out and I thought the fitness levels were okay.
“I’m not too bothered about the result, I like winning and I’d like us to score more goals and get a bit of confidence but the fitness and what I wanted from the game was getting around the pitch.
“Full credit to Curzon, they gave us a good test and that’s what I’m more pleased about. I would like us to score more goals and we had good chances, especially in the second half, but the main thing is that it’s another game under our belt.
“Hopefully we’ll just keep getting fitter and fitter. We haven’t really worked on shape and now is the time I probably need to look at what system I want to play next season.
“At this moment in time, Accrington will be another test for us and then I will look at my team more.”
Over 1,000 Athletic supporters were in attendance last night and the manager thanked them as well as having a warning for his players.
“It was a good turn out from our fans and it was a lovely pitch to play on,” he commented. “It was a good game for us and this is what pre-season is all about. You get the sloppiness out of the players.
“One thing the players know about me, even if I’ve signed them and they think they are going to be playing, they need to be wary because I’m not that type of manager. I will pick whatever players I feel are ready for the start of the season.”
Dan Gardner and Courtney Duffus were the only players not to be involved last night and the manager gave an update on their situations.
“Dan should be okay for Saturday, he just got a bang on his knee against Swindon so I’m confident he’ll be okay for Saturday, as well with Courtney Duffus.
“He had only trained with us yesterday so he will be in better shape with a couple of days training,” he said.