Crawley’s Cioffi accepts “half-present” of a birthday point

Crawley head coach Gabriele Cioffi had to be satisfied with a point from their 1-1 League Two draw at Macclesfield – on his 44th birthday.

Cioffi’s side were second best before the break but dominated after it – with Bez Lubala’s superb free-kick into the top corner earning them a point.

The Italian said afterwards: “Let’s say it was a half-present, one I had to wrap myself.

“We are not happy with the first half, it was not our DNA, it was not who we are or what we work at, it was not what we believe in – but we were very happy with the second half.

“There are a lot of reasons why we were like that in the first half but I was not worrying about it at half-time.

“In the second half there was a strong reaction, there was belief and there was football, they woke up.

“I’m happy for Bez, but if he is performing so well it’s because the squad is performing. We believe everyone is useful, no one is indispensable.

“It was a great performance from everyone in the second half. We are half-happy, we showed we respect the fans and we respect the shirt and the badge.”

His opposite number Daryl McMahon agreed a share of the spoils was the right outcome, his Macclesfield side having been deservedly ahead through centre-back Theo Vassell’s strike, forced in from Connor Kirby’s corner.

And McMahon conceded neither team – who started and ended the day level on points – was especially worthy of victory.

“I think it was two evenly-matched teams who play very similarly,” the Silkmen head coach said.

“I thought we defended really well for the whole game, then their lad’s hit one right into the top corner – which is a bit gutting.

“But it was a good performance and ours was a good finish from Theo from all of half a yard out.”

McMahon continued: “We had the better of the first half and they had the better of the second, they were coming on to us for the first half hour of it.

“We possibly could have nicked it but it’s a point on the board and we’ll move forward.

“You can always say we could have tested their keeper a bit more but we were good value for our lead, we got into good areas and we controlled a really good side.

“You want the three points but on reflection of the game, we’ll take the point.”