Macclesfield Ease to Victory

Last updated : 17 November 2002 By Andy Beill
The visitors went ahead with only 11 minutes on the clock. Paul Musselwhite put a Kyle Lightbourne header out for a corner, and as City made a mess of clearing from the set piece Matthew Tipton fired home from close range.

City's best opportunity of the first half came soon later, with Macclesfield just surviving a mad goulmouth scramble.

City were left to rue that missed chance when the Silkmen made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, with Lightbourne heading in Whitaker's corner.

Gary Alexander, Damien Delaney and Phil Jevons all had chances to get City back in the game before half time, but none quite made the breakthrough.

Delaney was again guilty of an apalling miss early in the second half. Stuart Green's corner was flicked on by Alexander at the front post, but Delaney blasted over from a yard out and the whole of the goal to aim at.

Nathan Peat - on at half time - had a superb shot saved midway through the half, with returning 'keeper Steve Wilson just managing to turn the 20-yard effort round the post.

Then with 15 minutes to go Macclesfield got their third, as Whitaker left Musselwhite with no chance with a peach of a half-volley to effectively end the game.

City line-up (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Regan, Whittle (Peat 45), Anderson, Burton (Smith 67); Green, Ashbee, Delaney, Williams; Alexander, Jevons (Elliott 45).
Un-used subs: Harvey, Holt.