FC Halifax Town 0-1 Stockport County: We deserved at least a point, says Town boss Wild

Paddy Madden's goal just before half-time was enough for County to seal the win.

"I thought we were excellent, I thought we were really good, with and without the ball," said Wild.

"We've gone more than toe-to-toe with them and deserved at least one, if not three points today.

"We did a lot of tactical work yesterday on containing their wide men, because a lot of their play comes through their wide men. I thought the two wingers, Danny and Jamie, got that spot on, along with the two full-backs.

"We did a lot of work on containing the second ball when it goes up to Cardwell, and I thought we did that really well.

"In possession, we knew we could have a lot of the ball. I think you've seen probably the best on the ball performance from us all season in terms of how we've moved the ball, manipulated the ball and passed through the lines.

"I think tactically, the lads were spot on today."

On Stockport's goal, which came from a mistake by Niall Maher at the back, Wild said: "It's an avoidable goal but that's football, sometimes it doesn't go your way.

"But it's taken the most expensive striker in the league to spank one in with real quality to win the game.

"Let's be honest, that's the only real shot they've had all game.

"I thought we were excellent today and the fans should be really happy with the players' day's work."

The Town boss said he would take a lot of encouragement from the game.

"Yeah definitely, I just said to them 'if we keep playing like that we'll be more than fine', I thought we did really well today.

"So we've got to take pride in that and take pride in how well we've played.

"You've got little old Halifax and you've got Stockport in the corner, slowing the game down, time-wasting all second-half because they can't live with us and they can't get out of their own box for 20 minutes.

"That's credit to the players that they've had to start time-wasting. We've kept all their big players quiet.

"Everybody should be really excited at how we've dealt with them today."

Wild also said the game showed how far his team had come since the start of the campaign.

"They know they've got away with one today, and they have, massively," he said.

"Yes, we've come a long way since the start of the season.

"Somebody asked me before what's the difference between the game (against Stockport) at the start of the season, and now - we're better, we're a better team, and that gives me immense pride.

I'm really pleased with what's gone on today."

Jack Earing was again not involved due to his ongoing hamstring problem.

"His hamstring didn't settle down as quickly as we'd hoped so we're looking at probably Boreham Wood next Saturday," Wild said.

On striker Tahvon Campbell, Wild said: "He twisted on his knee, it was sore so he went back to Cheltenham for a scan, and it was just bruising, so we've cleared all that up and he'll be back training with us when we're back in on Thursday, ready for the weekend."

And on fellow loanee Micah Obiero, Wild said: "He's got sore hips, so he's just at Huddersfield dealing with that, and should be back next week."

Wild also said striker Darren Stephenson is nearing coming into contention.

"We've got a squad game next Tuesday and if he comes through that then we'll see," he said.

"He's ahead of where I thought he was, which gives me another great option."