LATICS boss Frankie Bunn couldn’t hide his delight at the way his side bounced back to winning ways with the – eventual – comprehensive 3-0 victory at Grimsby Town.

The win moves Athletic up to sixth in the League Two table as the team responded in the best possible way following last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Newport County. But it wasn’t all plain sailing on the north Lincolnshire coast with the visitors slow to settle.

Bunn said: “We were huffing and puffing in the first half – we weren’t quite there and it was scrappy.

“We had to deal with long balls and weather the storm to an extent.

“You have to dig in away from home at times. We knew it was going to be tough but we’ve kept a clean sheet and scored a few goals – I’m pleased for the backline as much as I am with the front lads.

“When we regrouped after half time we showed we had that little bit of quality.

“Once you get on the front foot, you need to score and that’s exactly what we did.

“The game became more settled in the second half. More spaces developed and we exploited that.”

Bunn praised on-loan Sam Surridge for his quick-fire second-half double strike – he now has five goals in as many games – while Jose Baxter registered his first since rejoining in the summer.

“Sam took his goals well,” added Bunn.

“He could have had another one as well – he was quiet in the first half but to produce that second half performance was unbelievable.

“I’m also delighted for Jose to get his first goal since coming back to the club – but as a team, to score three away from home is very pleasing.”

Fourth-placed Colchester United are next up for Bunn’s men at Boundary Park on Saturday with the manager eager to embark on another winning run.

He said: “Every win is important and we’ve shown we can bounce back after last week’s defeat against Newport but we won’t rest on our laurels.

“We have to keep going now and long may it continue.”