SILKMEN skipper Tommy Widdrington has backed Graham Potter to bounce back from his horrendous error against Rochdale last Saturday.

The former England under-21 international came under criticism after his mis-hit pass-back let Grant Holt in for Rochdale's opening goal - but Widdrington believes the player will come back stronger.

"Players make errors which cost goals, I certainly have," he told Express Sport.

"Only Graham will know what he was thinking of when he passed back to Alan (Fettis) on Saturday. He obviously didn't mean it to fall short.

"He held his hands up for the mistake, and took the criticism, but what I'm sure of is that he will pick himself up and come back a stronger person for it.

"He has done a lot of major things since he has been here - the equaliser against Carlisle United last year and the goal against York.

"He's the type of player who can put it behind him."

It has been a difficult week so far for the Silkmen squad, who were brought into training on Sunday by furious boss Brian Horton following their poor display at Spotland.

The Silkmen once again failed to beat a side from the lower reaches of the table, but Widdrington insists that statement is not as cut and dry as it seems.

"What we have to take account of at the moment is that we're still sixth in the table. If the season finished tomorrow, we'd still be in the play-offs.

"Up until Saturday we have averaged a point away from home, and I know from my time at Hartlepool that we didn't do much more than that.

"I have spoken to most of the players individually, and no-one seems to know just why we can't put two or three good results together.

"But it isn't time to let things start clouding over - we have to look at what we have done already. We're up there and challenging and haven't been lower than eighth all season."

  • TOMMY Rooney's first appearance on the substitute bench since signing in the summer from Tranmere Rovers was a product of sheer hard work, according to Macc boss Brian Horton.

"Tommy has worked very, very hard in the reserves and has got his just rewards with three goals in two games," he said of the 18-year-old, who is the older cousin of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

"It gives the youngsters a lift to get them included in the first team when they are doing well, so we used him on the bench instead of Jassim. We would have done the same with Joey Jones a week ago.

"If the players don't perform then I'll have no choice but to use the younger players, and every once in a while, one comes good for you."