The Silkmen grabbed a last gasp winner to dispatch Darlington on Saturday afternoon at the Leasing.com Stadium.
One change was made to the side that secured a key point away at Spennymoor on Monday, with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts replacing the injured Luke Matheson. New signing Luke Griffiths was also named on the bench.
The Silkmen started brightly with Danny Elliott going to ground under heavy pressure after just five minutes, and was justly awarded a penalty. The striker calmly slotted away the spot kick to give Macc an early lead.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts came close to almost immediately doubling Macc’s lead, breaking clean through but lost control of the ball when attempting to round goalkeeper Peter Jameson.
The Silkmen failed to make their advantage count with Jack Maskell heading home Ben Hedley’s cross from close range just six minutes later.
The game somewhat simmered after a lively start, though neither side were able to capitalise on the open nature of the first half.
This was to change though as there was no clear leader in terms of possession, both sides were regularly exchanging the ball at a high intensity, and neither side able to regulate the tempo and tension seemed to be ramping up with both sides frustrating one another. It was a frantic first period with nothing to split them.
Max Dearnley made an important stop from Josh Scott just before the break whilst Danny Elliott was denied a second by Jameson at point blank range.
Half time came and it was clear changes would be required to make the difference. This came in the form of Club Captain Paul Dawson replacing Regan Griffiths.
Danny Elliott came closest to reinstating the Silkmen’s lead after the break, holding off and spinning his man before testing a back-pedalling Jameson at his near post, but couldn’t find a way through.
Lewis Fensome added to the Silkmen’s injury woes as he went down holding his calf midway through the second half. He was replaced as a precaution by Sam Heathcote.
Paul Dawson fired just over the crossbar directly from a free kick, causing concern briefly for keeper Jameson who scrambled to ensure the skipper’s effort wasn’t dipping in.
Soon after, Dawson was caught in possession and in a desperate attempt to win the ball back, hauled his opposite man to the ground and shown a yellow card for his troubles.
Luke Duffy made way for new signing Luke Griffiths five minutes from time as the Silkmen continued to search for a way through the Darlington defence.
Sean Etaluku, who’d worked tirelessly up and down the right flank, beat his man for pace, not for the first time during the afternoon and cut back for D’Mani Mellor who could only drag his first time effort narrowly wide.
Justin Johnson was introduced late on in place of Luis Lacey, who’d equally impressed down the left wing. The Silkmen were throwing everything at the game to make it their own before the full time whistle.
It was the substitute who made an immediate impact, turning his man outside out before laying the ball back for D’Mani Mellor to smash home inches from the penalty spot to clinch a crucial winner for the Silkmen just a minute from time.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts left the field to a standing ovation in the dying moments, with Carlos Dos Santos helping to see the game out.
Max Dearnley made a vital save to keep Macc in front with seconds to go with Darlington throwing everyone forward in a last ditch attempt to level the score.
With eight minutes added on, Macc needed to shut up shop and hold out for a much needed victory and did just that, sending the Silkmen to 6th spot in the Enterprise National League North.
