FC Halifax Town 1-0 Macclesfield: Heath hails match-winner Kosylo

Kosylo found the net with a first-half header to mark his first start in over two months after a medial ligament injury and set-up a clash at home to Maidenhead on Saturday.

“It was nice that Kossy (Matty Kosylo) came back in and he played a bit longer than he was going to,” Heath said. “He did well and got the goal.

“He’s not up to speed fitness-wise but we saw flashes from him and his goal was a great finish after a great cross.

“He has that ability to go past people and make things happen in the last third.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on him. We have to keep building him up.”

Heath admitted his team came under strong pressure at times against a Macclesfield team who were unbeaten in their previous 11 games.

“It was a tough game against a top team, but we weathered the storm at times, didn’t concede when we were put under pressure,” Heath said.

“But I thought we played some good stuff.

“We lost twice against them over Christmas and we wanted to put that right.

“We know enough about Macclesfield to last three seasons!

“John (Askey, Macclesfield manager) was saying we’ve probably seen more of each other than our families over Christmas!”

The result is Town’s first win in five games, with Heath stressing the importance of registering a victory.

“I think it was just important to get a win in the column and keep the confidence going,” he said.

“We had a good result on Saturday and it’s important to get a win on the board.

“We have to get back to winning football matches again. It was important we won.

“The FA Trophy is important. We didn’t have the option to rotate a side. We only had 16 players, so that was the squad.”

Goalkeeper Sam Johnson was again in top form for Halifax, something noted by Heath. “He did very well first-half. They had a long range effort that’s he held well, and then two big moments where he’s made two big saves second-half.

“I’m pleased for Sam because he had a really good game on Saturday and he’s followed it up.”

Heath hasn’t given up hope of extending striker George Waring’s stay at the club after his loan deal expired on Saturday.

“That’s still ongoing,” Heath said. “We’re still in conversation with him.”

Heath thinks Tranmere would be happy for Waring to play in the FA Trophy if the striker extends his loan deal.