No permanent return for Gerrard

Paul Gerrard will resist the urge to return to football full-time despite producing a memorable comeback for Oldham on Saturday.

The 38-year-old goalkeeping coach was forced into action from the bench after Alex Cisak was sent off 10 minutes into the League Two derby with Bury. Gerrard's first contribution was to plunge to his left and keep out Andy Bishop, although the Shakers forward ensured there was no fairytale ending for the veteran as his first-half brace secured a 2-0 win for the visitors. "I had to make a decision a couple of years ago whether to cling on to being a player or make a new career for myself as a coach," said Gerrard, who last represented Oldham in 1996 before moving to Everton. "I came here as a coach and (manager) Paul Dickov asked me to go on the bench as cover as the budget is tight. "I have missed playing, but Alex is the future and he has a great career ahead of him. I want to pass on all my experience and knowledge to him to play at a higher level which I am sure he is capable of." Gerrard is set to start Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash with Crewe, and after making his first professional appearance in two years he added: "I have a decent record of saving penalties. We receive scouting reports and I also do my own homework on players and it paid off as I picked the right way to go."