Darlington 0 Macclesfield Town 1

Last updated : 20 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Darlington remain in the relegation mire after another defeat this time a 1-0 reverse against lowly Macclesfield at the Reynolds Arena.

This was a crucial match for the Quakers, but they failed to take their chances and fell to a poor Macclesfield side, who defended resolutely throughout, and took their chance to seal all three points thanks to a goal from substitute Steve Brackenbridge.

Darlington had won their last home game and the low crowd of 2,920 were hoping for an early Christmas present which would have brought a much needed three points for their struggling team.

But, as the temperature dropped, the massive Reynolds Arena looked sparse and visitors Macclesfield could have taken the lead in the opening seconds, but Darlington goalkeeper Michael Price superbly tipped a Colin Little effort over the crossbar.

But Macclesfield then went on the back foot as the home side began to dominate.

In the 12th minute Ian Clark fired wide at the near post and then in the 18th minute a left foot drive from on-loan defender Craig James was blasted over the crossbar.

James was involved again in the 29th minute when Lee Matthews met his corner with a near post header that again went narrowly wide.

The visitors became frustrated and Michael Welch was booked in the 31st minute after a foul on Matthews.

The Darlington striker had a shot turned away by Town keeper Steve Wilson in the 33rd minute and then Little fired inches wide with a 22-yard effort, in the 35th minute.

The second period saw the home side continue to flourish but they could not find the back of the net.

In the 52nd minute, James should have put the home side in front. He connected with a Chris Hughes cross at the far post but put his chance wide and then, a minute later, Wilson was on hand to deny Neil Wainwright.

In the 54th minute the visitors made a double substitution when Martin Carruthers and Brackenbridge came on.

A minute later Wainwright raced clear and, with Wilson this time beaten, the Darlington striker somehow fired wide.

The home side were made to pay for their misses as Macclesfield took the lead in the 62nd minute.

John Miles had a shot parried away by Price and the ball fell kindly for sub Brackenbridge who volleyed his first senior goal from 12 yards out.

After the game, disappointed Darlington boss David Hodgson said: "We are second bottom for a reason - we don't win enough games. But we need to start putting a run together if we are to start climbing the League." Macclesfield boss John Askey was delighted with his side's performance and he said later: "It was a great team performance and another win after a difficult midweek fixture. We gave a spirited performance, dug in and defended superbly."