Horror injury blow for MacDonald
Only a miraculous series of results would have staved off what has been increasingly inevitable for a number of weeks.
In the end, not even an away win at the Madejski Stadium would have been enough, with relegation rivals Birmingham and Blackburn winning elsewhere.
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Hide AdBut news of MacDonald’s broken fibula and tibia - after a late lunge from Reading’s George Evans - was an unnecessary extra kick to the guts on a forgettable day for the club.
“Shaun’s broken his leg and it’s as serious as it can get,” reported interim boss Graham Barrow.
“I don’t think there was a lot in the challenge. He’s not that type of player, it wasn’t that type of game.
“I won’t lay any blame on him and I don’t think Shaun would if I’m being honest.
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Hide Ad“He’s a decent lad (MacDonald), and it’s just a blow to him because he’s been in the Welsh squad a few times this season.
“I had a reasonable view from the side. It’s only the third time I’ve heard that noise, that crack, and I knew he had broken his leg straight away.
“It broke the skin. The risk is infection over the next 48 hours.
“It’s a blow to any player and you’re looking towards Christmas now for the next time he’ll be playing.”
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Hide AdBarrow acknowledged it was always a ‘long shot’ that Latics would manage to wriggle out of the relegation mire.
“I know other results went against us but, with the pressure I put myself under, I thought I could do it,” he added.
“I know it was a long shot, but I’m proud of the performance.
“Obviously the finishing touch wasn’t there, but the players have been great for me.
“Out of all the games I’ve had, I would say only Ipswich was a disappointment in terms of the performance and effort.
“Obviously it’s not been enough to keep us in the Championship.”