Skelmersdale United manager Paul McNally expressed disappointment at losing the top-of-the-table clash with Macclesfield but insists the pressure is off in the title race.
Elliot Morris fired Skem into a first-half lead before Danny Whittaker’s side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.
McNally bemoaned the slipping of standards in the second half as Macclesfield ran out 3-1 winners, moving three points clear at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division.
For Skelmersdale United, there is no rest up in the battle for promotion as they face another trip away from JMO Sports Park when they face Wythenshawe Town – who can leapfrog Skem into second with a win.
But McNally believes his side are still under no pressure as he eyes a response for his side.
“Disappointing [to lose to Macclesfield] but if you look during the course of the season, if you’d of asked would we be going to Macclesfield at the end of January, top of the league and them needing to beat us?” He told Off The Park.
“I’d of took your hand off for it, we’re three points behind them, can’t overlook that fact of the position we’re in.
“I think first half we were the better side, we should’ve been out of sight but the second half we didn’t ourselves any justice.
“We played within ourselves, can’t complain about the defeat, three points to them, they’ve got the advantage it’s a case of dusting it off and going again. It was only three points.
“The second half we didn’t come out, I’m not sure if the occasion got to them – which it shouldn’t of been – or if they ran out of legs, I don’t know.
“The pitch is huge, they used it to their advantage. I’ve got no fear over us bouncing back, we’ve got it in our locker that we’ll bounce back. It’s about getting back on the horse and being as consistent as we have been and we have a huge game on Saturday.
“The lads were disappointed how we played and conceded, usually we’re so watertight we concede many goals but we just switched off at vital games and that cost us.
“It was never a 3-1 game, that flattered them slightly, we were chasing the game then. The 2-1, I’ve gone all out attack and they’ve caught us. The lads are disappointed and hope to rectify them on Saturday.
“Nothings changed from my point of view [in terms of the title race] the way I look at it is, the pressure is still off us.
“We go to Wythenshawe Saturday, we’ve got the cushion – although it’s two points – we’ve got two games in hand. It’s another situation, it’s not important to get the win but from my point of view it is to get back on track.
“It’ll be tougher than the last one, a lot tougher, Wythenshawe are a very good team, we drew 2-2 with them.
“They’ll be a lot more at our level so it won’t have the sense of a big occasion which I think there was Saturday which was more of a ‘showpiece’ whereas this Saturday, it’ll be back to bread and butter.
“It is a tougher game, they’ve got a lot going for them Wythenshawe, some good players, it’ll be another good game.
“One that could swing either way, they’re the games you want to be involved, come the business end hopefully, we can come up with the goods on Saturday.”
[Featured image: Dave Williams]
