The Silkmen had to be content with just a point from their encounter with Tranmere Rovers at the weekend despite having taken a three goal lead inside the first twenty minutes.
The result was made the more frustrating with the sending off of striker Vinny Mukendi midway through the second half, one of many decisions that boss John Askey felt went against his side.
With the advantage of a strong wind behind them, the Silkmen stormed into a three goal lead. Mukendi and Cook (2) were on target again as the game looked to be all over, against a side that had won both of their opening games.
But the home side pulled one back just before half time, and with the help of some questionable decisions from the officials, completed the comeback after the break, the equaliser coming on seventy minutes after Mukendi had been dismissed for two bookable offences.
"It was a strange game in many ways," said boss John Askey. "I was delighted with our start and in looked like we were going to run up a cricket score at one stage."
"But I was disappointed with the referee. Too many decisions went against us and as for Vinny's dismissal, well red cards just don't get issued at this level. I certainly can't remember any in my time with the club. If a player is doing something wrong you take him off but to show him a red card for such an innocuous thing was very disappointing."
"Ironically we played better as a unit after it happened and did well to pick up a point considering we were down to ten men and against a strong wind. But we shouldn't have been in that position if we're honest. There were some good performances and some not so good. But considering we were missing three players through injury, including two second year lads, it was good to take at least something from the game."
Team:
Welsby, Askey, Jukes, Montgomery, Moss, Daniels, Roberts, Thomas, France, Mukendi, Cook
Subs:
Lonsdale, Meachin
Injury update
Steffen Backer-Rowley has had a pin put in his shoulder after breaking his collar bone in the season opener at Stockport. He will be out for some time as the joint looks to settle down.
1st year keeper Liam Davies has a broken finger picked up in training and is expected to be out for at least another three to four weeks.
Scott Beckett has been laid low with a mystery virus that resulted in him being admitted to hospital. Allowed home on Tuesday, the midfielder is improving but still unable to train as he completes his recover at home.
