Oxford United's players got themselves back into the management's good books last night - even if they did concede another late goal.

They surprised promotion-chasing Macclesfield by outplaying them for much of the rearranged Coca-Cola League Two game.

But they had to settle for a 1-1 draw when John Miles snatched an 87th-minute equaliser for Brian Horton's Silkmen.

Paul Wanless had given the U's the lead after three minutes - scoring at the right end this time - but they missed excellent chances to go two up.

Leading scorer Tommy Mooney had three close efforts, and on one occasion wriggled past both Macclesfield centre backs only to be denied a brilliant goal by a super save from keeper Steve Wilson. Sub Juan Pablo Raponi also hit the bar.

But overall, head coach Horacio Rodriguez was much happier with the players' performance after last Saturday's dismal second-half showing at Shrewsbury.

He said: "I was happy with the performance tonight because they showed more commitment and fight for the game.

"It was a shame we didn't win, but we showed a different side to us than last Saturday.

"It was a game we should have won, but we were waiting for something to happen.

"That is something we have to correct because we can't keep missing so many chances. It's not the first time this has happened, there have been many games like this."

Speaking through a different translator, Luis Iannuzzi, because Giulliani Iacoppi had to return to Monaco, Rodriguez added: "It's always important not to lose and we have lost too many games in the last minute.

"Before the game today I didn't speak about tactics or concern the players about Macclesfield.

"All I said to them was how disappointed I was with the last game and that they had to show people that they could perform and that they wanted to play for this club.

"Just like last Saturday, Wanless was man of the match. The different attitude of the players in the game was what pleased me the most.

"They love their football and being professional players and it's very important for the fans that they have the right attitude."

Manager Ramon Diaz, his assistant Jean Marc Goiran and U's chairman Firoz Kassam all missed the match, but Rodriguez is confident Diaz will be back at the Kassam Stadium for Notts County's visit on Saturday.

"I think Ramon has done everything he has had to do, and he will be back on Saturday," he said.

Horton said: "I thought we played well in the first half and passed it around nicely, but then stopped. This was a game we really needed to win."