Macclesfield kicked the game off but it was City who had the first opportunity but Beevers’ cross was over hit and it went out for a goal kick. Adie Moses easily cleared a cross at the other end when Tipton sent in a weak cross. In-form Jamie Forrester and Hughes linked up well but Forrester was tackled just as he was about to shoot from just outside the area. Scott Kerr then tested the former Manchester United goalkeeper, Tommy Lee from distance but it was an easy save for Lee.

Stallard then produced good work down the left before passing the ball to Hughes but he could only tap the chance well wide of the target, however, it wasn’t long before the ball hit the net. Eaden played the ball up to Forrester and the experienced striker produced a delighted back heel into the path of Kerr who ran around the goalkeeper and slotted home despite a defender covering the line. It was a goal that City had deserved as they were the only team who seemed to want to go on the attack.

Mayo wasted a good chance to make it 2-0 soon after before Matt Tipton pounced on a Kerr mistake but his shot hit the outside of the post with Macc’s first decent attack of the game. City won a free kick 25 yards out but Frecklington could only shoot well over the bar. Weir-Daley then warmed the gloves of Marriott with a rasping 25 yarder.

10 minutes from the end of the half and Martin Bullock came on for Ian Brightwell for the visitors. Jeff Hughes forced Dave Morley to concede a corner. The resulting set piece was headed by Moses onto Scott’s head and another corner came about. Hughes appeared to have put it straight out but Jamie Forrester rescued it, heading it into the path of Beevers who absolutely smashed the ball into the net on a volley in what could easily be a record-breaking fastest shot due to the sheer ferocity of the shot.

As the game entered injury time in the first half, Macclesfield won a free kick for an apparent handball by Kerr. McNulty sent in the ball and Robert Scott was mysteriously left unmarked and headed in from point blank range to silence Sincil Bank who were celebrating going into half time as the team at the top of the league.

Forrester should have gone onto 5 goals for the season when he found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper thanks to a good Stallard pass but Forrester could only drag his narrow angled shot wide of the target. Frecklington was equally unlucky when he ran past several Macclesfield players and burst into the area but he could also only drag his shot wide of the target.

Scott was booked after a foul on Hughes. Forrester wasted a good chance to regain City’s 2 goal advantage but he could only curl the ball around the post. Frecklington again shot well over from 25 yards. At this point, Macclesfield finally started coming back into the game but were struggling to get any decent chances on goal. Despite appearing to be heading for a win, City knew that they now wouldn’t go top as Swindon has come from behind to lead against MK Dons.

Amoo replaced Beevers and the midfielder quickly got involved when he ran onto a Stallard ball but only a latch ditch tackle from Swailes stopped Amoo from being 1-on-1 with Lee. McNeill replaced Morley for Macclesfield before Cryan replaced Forrester for the final few minutes. The game petered out and the final whistle went and City had not only maintained 2^nd place, but extended the gap over the playoff places.

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