Macquarie United and Dubbo FC score Western Premier League draw

Crain made the statement after seeing his side earn a 2-all draw with the Bulls in an entertaining Dubbo derby at Apex Oval on Saturday night.

The result means Macquarie United hasn't lost to the second-placed Bulls this season after scoring a 1-0 win back in round one.

"We believe we know where our strengths lie against them and we had a plan and we've delivered on it and we've done it twice," he said.

"It's a massive four points for us because the reality is there's a lot of teams who won't get four points from six against Bulls, so it can give us a piggyback into the semis.

"Hopefully we can play Bulls in the first round of the semi-finals because we believe we can beat them."

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Macquarie's draw, combined with Parkes win over Mudgee Gulgong, meant Crain's side slipped from fifth spot on the ladder to sixth on the weekend but he was "ecstatic".

His side went into the weekend as underdogs but had the chance to claim all three points after an incredible goal from Connor Crain, the coach's son, from deep within his own half put Macquarie United up in the second half.

But the defending premiers rallied and scored a second to ensure the points were shared.

"We are ecstatic," coach Crain said.

"That's a win for us. The reality is there's six points available in the two rounds against Bulls and we've got four points and they've got one so it's a massive result for us."

The chance to meet Bulls in the semis is far from certain yet.

The top five in the WPL will play finals and Macquarie's hopes remain in the balance with eight rounds remaining.

Crain's side faces a massive match against the fourth-placed Barnstoneworth United next weekend and then a trip to face bottom team Mudgee and another derby battle against Orana Spurs before a bye.

The season is rounded out with games on the road against Lithgow and Panorama FC before a final fixture against Waratahs.

"We're going okay, The boys really lifted for that (Bulls) game and we've got to beat the teams around us," Crain said.

"We're really heading for fifth spot and it's really tight around that area. Barnies are on 12 and Parkes and us are on 11 and Panorama is 10."

Matt Walker scored Macquarie's first on Saturday but the highlight of the game was the stunning strike from Connor Crain.

His side was awarded a free-kick deep within its own half and the defender hoofed it forward, only to see it keep floating on all the way and in over the outstretched hand of Bulls' keeper Hayden Williams.

"I think there's a bit of luck in that but you've got to be in it to win it. When the ball goes into those areas you don't know what can happen," coach Crain said, before saying all players deserved praise after a "fantastic" team performance.

"We had a lot of strong players right across the park and the boys dug in.

"It was a fair result and we were ecstatic and we need to keep pushing on now and if we can get something out of this weekend we'll be very happy."

Midfielders Kane Settree and Thomas Busch scored Bulls' goals.

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