Kane Drummond scored four goals in an incredible second half display to continue Alex Bruce’s unbeaten run since joining the club.
Drummond’s first came in the 51st minute with a calmly taken goal after patient build up play from Alex Curran and Brandon Lee who passed the ball across goal to the 22-year-old.
The forward scored another when Tre Pemberton crossed the ball and Drummond jumped in the air stretching out his leg to guide the ball into the net which was followed by his third from the penalty spot twenty minutes later.
In the 80th minute, Neil Kengni’s close range effort was saved and deflected towards the Silkmen’s number eight who scored his fourth and final goal of the game.
John Rooney hit the ball from outside the box which found its way past a crowd of players and under the hands of goalkeeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen to open the scoring in the 36th minute.
Paul Dawson took an audacious attempt at goal from outside the box which sent the ball into the bottom left corner beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.
A minute before Macclesfield’s opener, Drummond took the ball around the keeper and played it across goal to Alex Hurst whose effort was blocked heroically by the Colls’ defence.
Atherton’s Harvey Gregson found himself in a great position collecting the ball thirty yards from the goal and took a shot which was handled well by Dylan Berry.
Curran came close to adding his name on the score sheet when he struck the ball from 25 yards onto the crossbar.
Laurent Mendy had a stand-out performance helping the back line earn their second clean sheet in four games.
It took less than thirty seconds for the first effort at goal when Luke Duffy attempted to score on the right which flew just over the bar.
The home side maintained the ball well in the first half and left their opposition with very few opportunities to grab an equaliser early on.
This result moves Macclesfield into fourth and leaves Atherton bottom of the league on goal difference in the Northern Premier League.
By Samual Gooch