McDermott Happy To Get Over Potential Banana Skin

The Reds ensured a return to winning ways as Billy Priestley's header midway through the second half settled the contest.

McDermott told press officer Amar Sharma: "I thought we started off very bright. We changed the formation a bit to make sure we were more solid. At the moment in time, whilst the players are gelling and aiming to get points on the board; Tuesday could have been a banana skin for us.

"We were expected to win and there's pressure there to get a reaction especially after two defeats in a row. They came to us desperately wanting points as well and we knew it would be a difficult game and it wasn't going to be pretty but we started right and we started well.

"We moved the ball well and we created plenty of chances, if the ball goes either side of the keeper on many occasions then it could have been different, I felt we could have had more. I couldn't care less if it was 20-0 and I like 20! But 1-0 we get the same points."

The Reds missed several chances during the first half and second and frustration was evident, but Macca felt the result was never in doubt: "We never doubted the result, we said in the changing room that we needed to be patient. I felt that they worked hard and made it difficult for us. The last ten or so minutes I wanted us to have kept the ball up front better so we can get out and prevent us having to dig in like we did.

"We have to give Ferriby credit but I felt that defensively we were brilliant, no mistakes, nothing silly; we just defended. At this level, a lot of goals are scored at set pieces and I was disappointed with our balls into the box, we needed to have beaten the first man."

The return of Adam Smith from injury was a big positive for McDermott and the Reds as he came on and assisted for the opening goal: "It was our first real quality ball into the box and it got us the goal and if we get a decent ball into the box we have lads who will attack it. It's great to have him back, he will only get better with more minutes, it was a great plus for us.

"We need to make sure we are ruthless and have more urgency going forward, get into the box and attack, cause problems and not hang around waiting for the ball to land. But the most important thing was the three points. You look at it and were a point off seventh.

“Overall all the lads did well, they all worked hard. We'll get better with more games and at the end of the day we have eighteen new players and we will need time, everything is new. We train once a week and we will get better with time."

The visit of Southport on Saturday presents a tough challenge for the Reds and McDermott was excited for the game: "I'm really looking forward to the game, both teams like to play; they've had a good start and they'll come here with confidence and they will want the three points just as bad as us. There are big clubs above and below us at the moment, it's a tight start as always at the start of the season and it will be another tough game".