A clinical second-half display ensured the Silkmen’s progression into the Emirates FA Cup first-round proper after a 3-0 victory over Anstey Nomads on Tuesday night.
John Rooney’s men scored three times in 14 minutes through George Wilson, Danny Elliott and Josh Kay to set up a tie away at Sky Bet League One side Mansfield Town on the weekend commencing 6th November.
The Silkmen went close within a minute of kick-off when Luke Duffy found space to strike at goal which did not test home goalkeeper, Harley Price.
At the other end, Silkmen stopper Christian Dibble had to get down well to his left to divert Oscar Tonge’s effort around for a corner, with the resulting set-piece well dealt with by the Silkmen defence.
Ammar Dyer was then well-positioned to deliver a brilliant slide tackle to prevent a Nomads breakaway before Dibble thwarted Tonge’s shot in a one-on-one situation.
Dibble was called into action again, making a brave stop to throw himself at Tobias Liversidge’s attempt, as Macc were forced to navigate a period of pressure.
On the half-hour mark, Rooney made his first substitution of the game, as Elliot Osborne replaced Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
Both sides tussled for an opener in the final 15 minutes of the half, which saw an additional five minutes played, as the team went into the break level.
Following the restart, Anstey drove forward with possession as Corey Grantham fizzed an enticing cross into a box, but Macc stood firm and cleared up the field.
The Silkmen were ahead on 57 minutes as Wilson whipped a stunning first-time strike beyond Price and into the bottom left-corner from 30-yards.
Minutes later, Conrad Logan’s Nomads were back on the attack as Dibble denied Harvey Kirby-Moore from a tight angle after being teed up well by Tendai Chitiza.
The Silkmen were searching to increase their advantage midway through the half, and Jon Ustabasi weaved down the left to shoot, with his effort hitting the post.
Rooney’s men did have their second with 66 minutes played after Elliott’s snapshot with his left-foot found the top right corner to extend the ascendancy in Leicestershire.
It was soon three for the Silkmen as with 20 minutes left as play dropped to Kay 12-yards out to fire a fierce strike past Price for Macc’s third.
Immediately after scoring, Kay was substituted in place of Matty Apter before Ustabasi made way for Theo Chapman.
Elliot Hartmann then delivered a set-piece towards the back post which was met by Chitiza, who shot at goal, but his effort was blocked.
Late on in the contest, Duffy’s dipping shot was turned behind by Lewis Gibbens for a corner. Goal scorer Elliott was replaced by Carlos Dos Santos in the closing minutes.
Dibble preserved his clean sheet in added time when he made a good low save in the box, as the Silkmen secured their place in the first-round proper.
The Silkmen return to the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday when Hereford visit East Cheshire as first hosts second in the Enterprise National League North, kick-off 3pm. Purchase your tickets here.
