Tigers Throw Away Points

Last updated : 01 November 2003 By Andy Beill
City went behind in the opening five minutes after Richard Hinds gave away a free kick 35 yards out. Paul Musselwhite parried George Abbey's powerful free kick onto the woodwork after it went past the wall but Martin Carruthers followed it in.

Danny Allsopp should have equalised two minutes later when Ben Burgess put him through for a one-on-one, but he was foiled by ex-Tigers 'keeper Steve Wilson.

Wilson was beaten a minute later by Richard Hinds who scored from nothing. The ball dropped for him 25 yards out and he wrapped his left foot around the ball and sent it into the Macclesfield goal to make it 1-1.

Matthew Tipton flashed a shot wide while Jason Price and Danny Allsopp failed to find the target with a number of chances. George Abbey and Chris Priest were wide at the other end before Musselwhite was beaten with a 41st minute Tipton free kick. However, the ball came back off the bar and City cleared.

The last action of the half was Colin Little's sending off in the 45th minute. He hit out at Marc Joseph after the ball had gone, and under advice from the nearby linesman, referee Mr. Miller showed Little the red card.

10 minutes into the second half, City were in front. Allsopp - who had shot wide a minute earlier - worked his way into the box and stroked the ball past Wilson.

Paul Musselwhite had to turn Christ Priest's 63rd minute effort around the post as City were reminded that Town were still in it, but the game became very scrappy.

Musselwhite caught a couple of long-range attempts that were right down his throat, and Silkmen fans behind the goal claimed Stuart Green handled in his own area but the referee saw nothing wrong. A blatant penalty appeal was then rejected at the other end as Allsopp was sent to the deck but Mr. Miller was again having none of it.

Wilson had a rare save to make after substitute Ryan France cut inside and shot, though City were content with the 2-1 lead. However, they didn't keep control of the ball and the visitors punished them for this two minutes into stoppage time after Justin Whittle gave away a needless free kick 20 yards out. It was taken short to Danny Whitaker, who smashed it low past the wall and into the bottom corner of Musselwhite's goal to earn them a point.

City line-up (4-4-2): Musselwhite; Joseph, Whittle, Delaney, Dawson; Price (France 68), Green, Hinds, Elliott; Burgess, Allsopp (Holt 81).
Un-used subs: Fettis, Melton, Webb.