REPLAY FOR SUPER SILKMEN

Gary Simpson hailed Macclesfield`s stirring 2-2 draw with Bolton, whose boss Owen Coyle did not begrudge the Silkmen their replay.

The Trotters took an early lead via Ivan Klasnic but the hosts hit back with goals from Colin Daniel and Arnaud Mendy before David Wheater earned a replay for the Premier League outfit back at the Reebok.

The FA Cup third-round tie marked the first anniversary of the death of popular Macclesfield midfielder Richard Butcher from a heart condition, and Simpson believed it had been a fitting tribute to the 29-year-old, as well as former boss Keith Alexander who died aged 53 in 2010.

Simpson, who had been assistant to Alexander, said: “Butch and the gaffer were a big part of this football club so it was a fitting way the lads went out and performed.

He added: “It was a good effort by us against the cream of our country – a team from the Premier League.

“We conceded early but we kept playing and took the game to them and got our rewards.

“It was a fantastic goal by Mendy – I didn`t know he had that in his locker, what a great strike it was.

“He hasn`t played a lot but I always thought that the kid would come to the fore.

“We hoped we could hold out but they are big, strong, and put the ball in the right area and always cause you a problem at set-pieces.”

Simpson admitted the odds were against the Silkmen pulling off an upset in the replay at the Reebok but refused to give up hope.

He said: “I am a bit of a realist and usually the first bite of the cherry is the only one you get but we played quite well up there in the Carling Cup so we will give it another go.”

The Macclesfield boss also suggested that Wheater could have been sent off in the first half for pulling back Matthew Hamshaw.

“He was the last man so if that had us been pulling one of them back would he have gone? Let`s leave it at that,” said Simpson.

Bolton boss Coyle praised Macclesfield for their performance and also paid tribute to Mendy`s spectacular volley.
He said: “All credit to Macclesfield, they are a decent side and they scored a truly magnificent goal.

“I`ve been on the other side many times as a giantkiller and you think `that`s a typical FA Cup moment`.

“But credit to the boys they kept going and it became waves of attack and we could easily have won, but I don`t, and I don`t think anyone would, begrudge Macclesfield being given another go at it.”

But Coyle dismissed suggestions that Wheater was fortunate not to be sent off.
He said: “It was in a wide area and there was Joe Riley and two or three players near him.”