Walsall frustration over as Craig MacGillivray gets a chance

The 24-year-old shot-stopper has taken on the role of benchwarmer for much of his three years at the Banks's Stadium since signing from non-league Harrogate Town.

But he finally got his chance to impress during Good Friday's 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town before keeping a clean sheet in Easter Monday's 1-0 victory over Swindon Town.

"It's been frustrating," said MacGillivray of his long wait for some league action. "It's difficult not playing often.

"My last game was back in December (against Oldham in the Checkatrade Trophy). But now I have got a real chance. I am learning every day now, it's nice to be able to take each game and learn from the last game.

"That's been difficult in the past because I've not had the opportunity to do so. When we did the analysis for Swindon we got to look at the Shrewsbury game and the things we needed to work on.

"Then straight away you are back in and you can put that into practice."

He added: "Every time I step on to the pitch I try and do the best I can. First and foremost as long as I am happy in myself and in general then I will do all right.

"I think I have done well but once again Neil Etheridge has done very well this season.

It's been frustrating but when Neil is playing well it's very difficult to get him out the team."

Putting training into practice is a big thing for MacGillivray, particularly when he enjoys the off-the-field work as much as he does, crediting goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler for the huge advances in his game.

"For me personally, when I first came through the door three years ago the improvement has been massive," he said. "I have got a lot more confident and as a goalkeeper in general – every part of my game there have been massive improvements.

"That is mainly down to Cuts in my opinion. Obviously you learn off the other goalkeepers you work with but it is mainly Cuts.

"He is exceptional. He has got experience in the game. He has seen everything there is in the game.

"Nothing every fazes him. Whatever happens he is there to support you and give you advice."

MacGillivray's performances have not gone unnoticed, with match-winner Joe Edwards among those waiting to praise him after the triumph over Swindon.

"He was fantastic and I thought he was brilliant the other day at Shrewsbury," said Edwards. "It's hard being a number two keeper.

"You are always on the periphery a bit but he does his job day in, day out. He has taken his chance the last two games and I don't think we could have asked any more from him. He's been fantastic.

"It was nice for him to get a clean sheet."

And what did MacGillivray think about one particularly good save from Swindon's Ben Gladwin in the first half?

The keeper admitted: "I didn't know too much about it I was chatting to Jimmy O'Connor about it. He has managed to sneak it though Jimmy's legs but I managed to get down and get a hand to it and then get back up as Ajose has gone for the rebound. I managed to get to that as well."