Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander insists his reputation as a long-ball merchant is unfair and has held back his progress as a manager.Having led the Silkmen to safety during his 12-game tenure, the former Lincoln boss has been subsequently handed a permanent two-year deal at Moss Rose.

He made Macclesfield hard to beat in the closing weeks of the season but is adamant he does not receive the recognition he deserves for his managerial feats.

Alexander said: "I'm labelled as a long-ball manager, something that has almost certainly held back my career.

"But I want my team to play football as much as any other.

"You do that in the opposition's third and that is something I believe in strongly."

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