The Silkmen earned themselves a valuable point on the road at the Walks Stadium, with a one all draw against Kings Lynn Town on Tuesday evening.
John Rooney made one enforced change to the side that historically progressed to the Third Round for the first time since reforming as Macclesfield FC, as Club Captain Paul Dawson returned to the starting XI in place of the suspended Sam Heathcote.
It was a slow start to the evening from the Silkmen for which they were punished as Linnets skipper Michael Clunan picked up a loose ball midway inside the Macc half and drove forward before laying off for Ross Crane who swept home the opening goal of the game for the hosts inside two minutes.
With work to do from the off, the Silkmen found themselves on the back foot for the majority of the first half, preventing the hosts from doubling their lead on more than one occasion via blocks from a makeshift wall facing a dangerous Clunan free-kick and a strong hand from Dearnley at his near post to prevent Oudnie-Morgan.
Tai Fleming was next to try his luck, but again Dearnley was on hand to prevent Kings Lynn from increasing the deficit, before Rollin Menayese made a vital block on the line from Oudnie-Morgan at the near post.
Paul Dawson responded for the Silkmen with an effort from distance, though wasn’t able to trouble Paul Jones in the Linnets goal. The Macc defence then rushed to the aid of ‘keeper Dearnley who was left in a heap on the floor as Town again looked to go two clear following pinball inside the area, though in an illegal manner much to the dislike of those all in white, who ensured no further harm came to the Silkmen shot-stopper.
There was a moment of worry for those in the away camp as James Edmondson required treatment having gone to ground off the ball, though scorer of Sunday’s goal of the Emirates FA Cup Second Round was fortunately able to continue.
The Silkmen made their way back in to the dressing room a goal down, though returned a far more rejuvenated group. Two changes were made at the interval with Josh Kay and Ethan McLeod taking the places of Luke Duffy and Max Woltman.
It was almost an immediate impact from McLeod who raced through with the ball under his spell, before letting fly a cleanly struck half-volley which agonisingly cannoned back off the crossbar instead of emphatically levelling the score just two minutes after the restart.
Luis Lacey was at the centre of Silkmen appeals for a penalty as he went to ground inside the area, appearing to be tripped as he progressed towards Jones’ goal, though was instead cautioned for an alleged dive.
Danny Whitehead was next to make a positive impression for Macc as he almost capitalised on a half chance inside the area, but saw the opportunity cleared from under his feet before he could let fly.
McLeod was inches from pulling Macc level once more as his dipping effort flashed across the face of goal, narrowly flying past the far post, only to be met with the offside flag, though it seemed an equaliser was drawing nearer.
The Silkmen’s other second half substitute Josh Kay almost marked his return to the squad from injury with a goal, but again his well-struck half-volley was tipped round the post by the outstretched hand of Jones as Macc continued to ask questions of the Linnets defence.
Regan Griffiths and Justin Johnson were introduced with fifteen minutes to play, taking the places of James Edmondson and Justin Johnson respectively.
Johnson followed suit from McLeod in almost making an immediate impact from the bench, providing a dangerous delivery from a corner kick, which Kings Lynn struggled to deal with, leading to the same again.
It was at the second time of asking that the Silkmen reaped their rewards from a battling second half performance, with Johnson again providing a wicked delivery right on top of goalkeeper Jones and a crowded six yard box, which McLeod made first contact from and proved enough to bundle the ball over the line to level proceedings with nine minutes to play.
Six minutes were added at the end of the regulation 90, though despite a late half-chance for Danny Elliott midway through injury time, which couldn’t be converted, the score remained level as referee David Jones signalled the end of the contest.
The Silkmen acknowledged their most loyal supporters in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, thanking those who’d once again made the mammoth journey to Norfolk to witness Macc gain a valuable point on the road.
MOTM: Ethan McLeod
Attendance: 1,093
