then relief MARK Fish's value to Wanderers has never knowingly been understated.

Even on Tuesday night when Sam Allardyce was determined not to take the gloss off Macclesfield's magnificent performance, he had to admit that losing the South African had been a factor in his team's shock Worthington Cup exit.

"He's such a commanding figure ..." the manager acknowledged as he considered the implications of the South African's injury, "As a team we virtually disintegrated."

But it's not just Reebok insiders who rate the gifted centre-back.

Macc boss Peter Davenport was certainly a relieved man when Fish left the fray, nursing a sore ankle which fortunately turned out to be bruising rather than ligament damage.

Own

"We had Richie Barker up front on his own and when you've got the likes of Fish, Bergsson and Barness at the back - all good players, all quality players - it's hard to hold the ball up when you've got three of them against you.

"The fact that Fish went off meant we could get the ball up to Ritchie and he was able to hold it. It made a difference."

No wonder Allardyce was relieved to learn the defender might only miss one game and not be missing for the 10 weeks he first feared.

Because, while the strikers have been doing the business and grabbing the goals, it's the defence which has been the cornerstone of the previously solid start to the season. And Fish, along with Gudni Bergsson, has been outstanding.

Macc boss Peter Davenport has written to Sam Allardyce thanking him for his sporting remarks after Tuesday night's Worthington Cup tie when he acknowledged the Third Division side as "worthy winners".