 His first start since 22 August 2009 came in a 2–2 home draw with Cambridge United on 22 September to fill in for Alex Lawless.This was the first of five consecutive matches to be started by Mackin before he had a six-match spell on the substitutes' bench.This came to an end when he started in the 1–0 victory away to AFC Wimbledon on 21 November 2009 and his performance drew praise from Foyle.