Matt Thornhill netted the only goal for game for United leaving The Boro with no win in the last four matches. Macken’s men dominated the afternoon but couldn’t find the back of the net and he believes that his sides performances warrant goals.

“I thought it was outstanding, I thought we controlled the game from start to finish. We created bundles of chances. The only disappointment is that we didn’t score.

“We are still creating great chances, even right at the death. We should have scored easily two or three today and obviously that is the disappointment of it. Performance wise it was really pleasing.”

The Blues have struggled to find the back of the net in the early part of the season. Matthew Wolfenden has netted the only goal of the new campaign against FC United of Manchester but the former Preston man thinks his side should have had more on the day.

The Boro netted twice in the first half against Basford but for the referees’ whistle. Rick Smith and new loan signing Tyrese Sinclair though they broke the deadlock but for the officials much to the dismay of Macken in the dugout.

“We scored in the first half and the linesman said it went out and we asked him why because of the reaction of the players. He didn’t see it go out it was just the reaction of a player which he has made his decision on, horrendous. How you do that I don’t know.”

Macken still believes that his side should take the result out of the hands of the officials and finish their chances.

“That has probably cost us a little bit but we missed chances but it feels like we are just going over the same old ground when talking about officials. I thought they were poor today.”

The Boro have games coming thick and fast in the league and cup competitions. Macken is expecting the same level of performance from his men to go and claim their first win of the season.

“I want a performance the same as that just with more goals. Once again, I can’t fault the attitude, the desire, the togetherness. It was all there today, it was just the final end product which wins you football matches. That is the real big disappointment of it.”

The Boro will be without midfielder Scott Metcalfe after he received a red card against United, the former Manchester City man believes that it could have been avoided.

“I think the first yellow was a harsh yellow card. He won the ball and his leg has taken out the player with the momentum. The second is definitely a booking. I told him in there that he can’t do that. He thought he could win the ball and there was no way he was going to win the ball. He will have to learn from that which he will but it was disappointing because we were on the front foot and I thought there was only one team who was going to win the game. I’m pleased but disappointed.”