THERE’S NOE SURRENDER FOR KEATES
WREXHAM manager Dean Keates was adamant a refereeing error cost his side a share of the spoils in a hard-fought encounter with Cheshire neighbours Macclesfield Town at the Racecourse.
The Silkmen went ahead through the first shot of the game after 12 minutes, a 30-yard blockbuster from Noe Baba beating goalkeeper Chris Dunn for pace, and went on to control proceedings for long spells.
But a second-half surge from the Dragons, boosted by a 6,000-plus crowd, put the boot on the other foot and Macc defender Adam Yates was given the benefit of the doubt by referee Neil Hair after he dispossessed Marcus Kelly just as the winger was about to pull the trigger from 10 yards out.
Keates said: “It was a penalty in my view but there’s no point in moaning about it. The referee was in a great position but he’s not given it to us. Hopefully over the course of the season it will go in our favour.”
“There’s no point in me standing here talking about the officials but it definitely was not a corner because it’s our player who kicks it out and their lad has come from the wrong side and he didn’t touch the ball.”
Although the Silkmen had a second-half effort ruled out by an offside flag, boss John Askey hinted that a draw might have been a fair result.
“I’m really pleased to get that first win on the board because it breeds a bit of confidence going into the game against Hartlepool on Tuesday,” he said.
“I thought it was a close fought game and in the second half we came under a lot of pressure but we had a goal disallowed for offside.
“We rode our luck a bit at times but it’s all about the three points and thankfully that’s what we got for our efforts.”