Shaun Brisley has the relative minnows of East Thurrock earmarked to bear the brunt of Macc’s Burton disappointment.

The 10 Silkmen may have left the Pirelli Stadium empty-handed but hundreds of travelling fans’ hearts were swelling with pride at their heroes’ endeavours, none more so than the local boy who used to watch from the Moss Rose terraces.

"When teams go down to 10 men, they work that little bit harder and to be honest we’ve been all over them in the second half," said the club’s dyed-in-the-silk Maxonian. "I don’t know how we haven’t come away with a point but the lads will keep their heads held high, go to next week’s FA Cup tie and get back to winning ways, hopefully."

The 21-year-old insisted that there was no blame laid at the feet of Vinny Mukendi, who was dismissed 13 seconds after replacing Tony Diagne.

"Vinny’s a dangly lad," he added. "He’s gone up with his arms and their guy’s hit the deck straight away, so the ref thinks he’s led with his elbow and hit him hard. It’s a soft sending-off, I don’t even think it’s a booking."

After an injury-hit 2010/11 campaign the defender has been a paragon of consistency this season but Brisley says the results are the most important thing. However, if his stock continues to grow, he could be in line to move onto bigger things, in return for a hefty lump of cash for the coffers, a suggestion he plays down.

"I just go into every game wanting to win, to play my own game and help the team. If I keep performing the way I have something might come about," he reasoned. "I used to come watching the team with my dad when I was younger, so I’m proud to play for my home club and I’m really enjoying my football here."

Brisley’s undoubted improvement and maturity means that the day could come when he has to look at leaving the club he supported as a boy but until then, Macc fans will relish watching one of their own grow.