Macclesfield 0-1 Morecambe

The Silkmen can’t quite ignore the relegation battle as an 85th minute goal leaves them a point from mathmatical safety.

Chester’s win at Accrington combined with Notts County’s second capitulation at home to a relegation threatened side kept the Silkmen in the fight.

The Silkmen started the game well and carved out some decent chances. John Rooney went close with a long drive, Gareth Evans headed an Izak reid cross wide and Jamie Tolley saw his shot saved after good work from Bell and Sinclair.

In the first half, it was the Silkmen who played all the football with the defence coping well with Morecambe’s long-ball game.

The visitors did have the ball in the net twice in the first half, but both only came courtesy of fouls on Jon Brain as Morecambe looked to force the ‘keeper off the ball at every corner.

The second half saw the roles switch as the Silkmen failed to impose themselves on the game.

Sinclair went close to getting a vital touch on Bell’s free-kick, and Brain had to save well when a Drummond shot was deflected by Brisley.

But after having ruled out another Morecambe goal, this time for offside, the Shrimps had the referee to thank in part for their 85th minute winner.

The ball played down the right was clearly controlled by the arm of the Morecambe forward before he won a corner. this was taken to the far post and headed home by David Artell.

The Silkmen should have levelled in injury time when Nat Brown met Danny Thomas’ excellent cross, but the big defender headed wide.