Notts County 1-0 Macc

It was a case of ‘close but no cigar` again for the Silkmen as they lost another match to a promotion chasing side by a solitary goal, this time away at Notts County.

Despite being the ‘better side in the second half` (a comment from a Notts County commentator) the Silkmen were again cursing their missed chances as the previously super-rich Magpies held firm.

Macc are of course not the only side to draw a blank against Notts. Kasper Schmeichel, reportedly not only the best paid player in League Two history (not counting Sol Campbell) but also the most expensive transfer fee, has now kept 13 clean sheets this season.

But it was another narrow defeat in a season where close losses and draws have been regular occurrences. It can be argued that the lack of any regular heavy defeats show that we have a solid side. Add to this that we have only lost as many games as fourth placed Chesterfield and we are clearly hard to beat. But the run of nine games now without a win is a concern and the forward line is the problem.

Against County they worked hard but rarely threatened to break the deadlock.

The winning goal came in the first half when a deep cross caused panic in the Macc back line and Clapham was left unmarked to power home a close range header. Macc`s chances were limited, but there were chances as Ricky Sappleton saw one shot fly wide and another blocked whilst Ross Draper scuffed a shot at the far post which would have been a good opportunity to level the scores.

There was, as usual, a shout for a blatant foul waved away as Junior Daniel was taken out as he looked to run through on goal, but later he saw his shot saved.

The injury situation at the Moss looked to have worsened soon after when Izak Reid was forced off with an injury after a nasty looking challenge. This came just after Ben Wright had been the Silkmen`s third sub of the night, leaving the Blues with 10 men for the rest of the game.

A man down away form home at a side in the promotion hunt was always going to be tough, and Jon Brain was the busier of the two ‘keepers as the game entered it`s final moments with the score remaining at 1-0.