Future will be Bright - Mac

The Wales international forced home a stoppage-time leveller at Elland Road to help the visitors secure a point that, on the balance of play, they unquestionably merited.

Despite the precious point, Latics remain mired in the bottom three, with 11 points from their 13 matches played.

But their third draw on the spin makes it four matches unbeaten, and the ex-Bournemouth midfielder insists a rise up the table is on the cards.

“It’s difficult, because it’s hard to criticise when you know you’re playing well as a team,” MacDonald told the Evening Post.

“We’re creating chances at the moment, we’ve just not been taking them.

“We know something has to be done, but it was important to get something at Leeds.

“The last two games (0-0 draws against Brentford and Burton) were frustrating for everyone.

“The performances probably weren’t totally there.

“But we did keep clean sheets, and you have to take that as a positive.

“To go 1-0 down at Leeds is tough, because it’s a hard place to go and play.

“We put a lot of effort in to the game, and we probably had the more clear-cut chances.

“It would have been frustrating had we come away with another loss, and thankfully we managed to get the goal.”

MacDonald could not have picked a better time to open his goalscoring account for Latics, popping up in the right place at the right time to lash home from close range after the home defence failed to clear a wicked corner from Jordi Gomez.

“I knew Stevie (Warnock) was trying to bicycle-kick it, he managed to get something on it, and I just tried to get my leg up and catch it on the volley,” MacDonald added.

“Luckily enough it’s gone in and I’m made up for everyone because we deserved that.”

Next up for Latics is Saturday’s visit of high-flying Brighton, who lie third in the Championship table, just three points behind leaders Newcastle.

But MacDonald, who spent five years on the south coast with Bournemouith prior to joining Latics this summer, is looking forward to a good open game.

“We know we’ll be in for a tough game, but we have an honest bunch of lads and we’re determined to turn the corner,” he acknowledged.

“They’ll come here and try to pass the ball, and that’s exactly how we want to play the game and we’ll relish that.”