BRIAN Horton hailed his players after Macclesfield produced a brilliant second-half fightback against Wrexham to ease relegation fears.
The Silkmen fought back from 2-0 down to secure three valuable points against the promotion-chasing Welshmen at Moss Rose on Tuesday night.
The vital victory helped Hortonés side move six points clear of the drop zone ahead of Saturdayés crucial derby day clash with Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
"The way we played in the second half showed we shouldnét be in a relegation battle, but should be near the play-offs," said the Macclesfield boss, who blasted his under-performing troops at the interval after a lacklustre first 45 minutes.
"At half-time we had a bit of a go at the players, asked them how much they really wanted it and they gave us the answer.
"I thought the team performed particularly well in the second half, coming back from 2-0 down at anytime shows a great deal of courage and passion.
"We scored two good goals and there were some other decent chances, Iém delighted with the result.
"The main objective of the night was to get the three points and thatés exactly what the lads did. Ités a great lift ahead of the weekendés local derby against Stockport."
Horton rang the changes before kick-off with Tommy Lee, Ian Brightwell and Alan Navarro coming into the side at the expense of Alan Fettis, Kevin Sandwith and John Miles, while defender Dave Morley was employed as an emergency striker.
But the Silkmen suffered a terrible start when Sam Williamsé deflected drive handed the visitors a eighth-minute lead.
The Dragons doubled their advantage when Andrew Holt planted a header past Lee on 32 minutes, but Macc were handed a lifeline three minutes before half-time when Holt inexplicably headed Martin Bullockés corner into his own net.
The home side were transformed after the break and Danny Whitaker ran onto Morleyés intelligent knock down to blast Macclesfield level on 73 minutes. And the Silkmen sealed a fabulous fightback - and their first League win in seven games - with nine minutes remaining when substitute Michael Briscoe powered a header past Michael Ingham for his first goal for the Cheshire club.
