Despite seeing his young side earn a well deserved point at Dean Court this afternoon Keith Alexander's overriding emotion was one of anger at the failure of referee Graham Horwood to penalise Bournemouth in the lead up to their late equaliser.

A Cherries player appeared to blatantly push a Silkmen defender allowing the ball to land at Alan Connell's feet. The striker's shot beat Jon Brain but the offence went unpunished and denied Macc a much needed three points. Jon Brain was booked for his protests with Keith Alexander also sent to the stands.

An hour after the final whistle the gaffer could still not hide his anger.

"It was a scandalous decision, a truly shocking one," bemoaned Keith as he boarded the team coach for the long journey home. "It was a blatant push and one that happened right in front of the referee."

"Why he didn't give the free kick? Well you'll have to ask the referee. All I know is that it cost us two points and when that happens I am not going to sit back without expressing my views. If Arsene Wenger can do it, I don't see why I can't. I am sure I will get a fine or a touchline ban but officials also need to be held accountable. I just hope he watches the video and is big enough to admit he made a mistake. But somehow I doubt that very much."

"It took the shine off a magnificent battling display. We've been hit hard by injuries and to come away with a point at the second placed team in the league is a great result."

"We don't appear to having much luck and that was the case again today. But we put in a great display and could easily have finished the game off before their equaliser. We put a great five or six passes together moments before their goal. Had the final shot gone in we wouldn't have been talking about the referee. But that moved showed the sort of things we are capable of."

"The young lads are learning all the time and if we can keep the side together I am confident we'll be a force to reckoned with next season."