Campbell bangs the drum for improvers

FLEDGLING manager Sol Campbell says his Macclesfield side has made great strides, but rued their inability to “put the icing on the cake”.

Macclesfield had created the better chances in the first half, with Scott Brown saving Fiacre Kelleher’s powerful header and pulling off a fine double save to thwart Ben Stephens and Tyrone Marsh.

And their overall performance impressed Campbell. “We had some good chances and it was a physical game,” he said. “We stood up and showed that, as well as we can play, we can mix it too.

“For us it’s all about development, doing the right things in training, trying to transfer it into the game. We’re not there yet but we’re much better, for sure. We just have to keep on banging the drum for them to keep doing the right things.

“We have to keep it going. In the last third our touch has to be a bit tighter, a goal would have been the icing on the cake.”

Valiants boss Neil Aspin was also happy to take the point on offer, admitting: “From my point of view an away point is always a good point.

“Of course, you want to get three points and if you look at the league table [with Macclesfield bottom] you want to get all three, but I take every game on its merit.

“Macclesfield were on the front foot and were the better team in the first half – our goalkeeper has kept us in the game.”

The hosts were the better side before the break and Vale dominated thereafter but with final-third quality absent no one was able to provide the key moment.

In the first half Vale were thankful for a double save by Brown, who parried Stephens’ shot and recovered to block the follow-up from Marsh.

The visitors had produced even fewer opportunities, save for a rising drive from Antony Kay and Tom Pope’s scuffed shot on the turn.

Local rivalry – and rising tempers – finally surfaced as the game opened up after the break, with the Valiants getting the upper hand.

Leon Legge had a header hacked off the line, Christian Montano cleared the bar and Scott Quigley’s goalbound drive was deflected behind by Macc’s Nathan Cameron, as the sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.