CARL Macauley argued afterwards that Witton Albion had deserved a draw at Mickleover on Saturday.

However he admitted that his side were lucky that none of the match officials spotted a handball by defender Michael Wilson on the goal-line, which prevented Tom Burgin from putting Sports in front, when the teams were tied at 1-1.

“We got away with that,” he told the Guardian.

“I was a long way away, but even from there I thought it was a penalty. A few of the lads agreed too when I asked them in the dressing room.”

Albion had taken the lead inside two minutes when Steven Tames converted from the spot after Kevin Grocott’s clumsy intervention had sent Alex Newby sprawling.

Pablo Mills’ header struck the inside of a post at the other end, although the home team did restore parity shortly before the hour when debutant Danny Gordon swept in.

Macauley said: “Overall, we’re happy.

“It’s the club’s first game back at this level for a while, and already we have a point on the board. I feel that’s a fair reflection of the game.

“Both sides had chances, and it was open.

“We were comfortable before half-time even though they had a lot of the ball, and they created very little.

“However the second half was different, and they had opportunities.

“We did too, and their goalkeeper made a good stop when it looked like Micah [Evans] might make it 2-0.

“That would have put us in a great position.”

He saved praise too for goalkeeper Calvin Hare, who reacted brilliantly to deny Jake Scott at the near post after Tames’ loose pass gifted a chance to the Mickleover midfielder.

“It was a great save, and Calvin earned us a point in that moment,” added the former Marine manager.