Derby reward so deserved: Danny
MACCLESFIELD Town caretaker manager Danny Whitaker insists his side more than deserved their point after their 1-1 draw at home to rivals Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
It looked like Latics were heading for all three points when Jonny Smith scored a late goal for the visitors, but the Silkmen were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a controversial late penalty.
David Wheater was adjudged to have handballed it on the line, with the referee sending him off in the process and pointing to the spot, allowing Joe Ironside to score a stoppage time equaliser for the home side.
It meant the match finished 1-1 at the Moss Rose, and Whitaker was pleased that his players were able to get something from the game.
He said: “It was a testing game, but the lads stuck to the job in hand and I believe we were unlucky in the end, but we didn’t lose which is the main thing!
“Reice Charles-Cook did very well, he did every we asked of him. His handling and kicking was good considering the wind which isn’t easy. He did really well today.
“It wasn’t easy for the time to respond after going 1-0 down. From the corner I don’t think we got out to the ball quick enough which allowed the shot unfortunately. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes, and the lads reacted fantastically to get back into the game and we could’ve even won it at the end.
“We got the penalty, and my initial thoughts were that it was a clear hand ball and he was sent off rightly so. I’m pretty certain the referee made the right decision, I’ll have to double check, however.
“The lads deserved that, they worked tirelessly all game and I told them to stay on the front foot because at the time we had nothing to lose and that’s exactly what we did.
”I was a little bit nervous but I didn’t have any doubt when Joe stepped up. I’m delighted for him to tuck it away because he’s worked his socks off and it’s not easy playing up front on your own. He’s been magnificent.
“We possibly could’ve won the game in the end; the pitch isn’t easy to play on in these conditions and it’s a shame that that last chance didn’t go in but that’s football sometimes and it doesn’t always go the way that you want it.
“In terms of defending we did magnificent, the lads put their bodies on the line, and we said to them at half-time that it’s going to be difficult but if we could hit them on the counter-attack, we have a chance to create something.”