Danny Whitaker made just one change to the starting eleven that faced FC United of Manchester in the Club’s final pre-season fixture last Tuesday, with Mark Duffy returning to the side from a brief injury lay-off.
The Silkmen dominated possession from the off and were the stronger side in the first half, albeit not without former Macclesfield man Aaron Dwyer coming close with a free kick which forced Marcelo Pitaluga into an impressive save to keep the score level.
Experienced goalkeeper Steven Bywater was kept on his toes by overlapping full-backs Brandon Lee and Jacob Hanson, who were regularly delivering crosses which asked a lot of the veteran shot-stopper.
James Berry thought he had done enough to take a largely deserving lead, as he bundled Jacob Hanson’s cross over the line – but it was ruled out for a handball.
Fortunately, Macc didn’t have to wait too much longer to get the goal that had long been coming, with Alex Curran slamming home following a goalmouth scramble just before the break.
Both sides re-emerged from the dressing rooms unchanged. Macclesfield had their tails up after Curran’s timely opener and continued to control the game, predominantly in the middle of the park.
James Berry almost doubled the lead on numerous occasions and there can be no doubt that he was Macclesfield’s danger man once again.
Nicky Maynard was introduced to make his first appearance for Macclesfield, with Mark Duffy making way mid-way through the second period.
Wythenshawe were then reduced to ten men when an administrative mix-up saw Darius Palma dismissed after he was brought onto the pitch without being named on the team sheet.
Ten men quickly became nine after tempers flared when Jerome Wright received a second yellow in quick succession for dissent.
Marcelo Pitaluga was once again in top form as he denied Steven Hewitt an equaliser from point blank range as the clock ticked down.
Alex Curran then settled the tie with his second, as he received the ball on the turn from James Berry, before squeezing his low effort between the legs of Steven Bywater.
Macclesfield progressed to the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup, where they will travel to Mossley on Saturday 20th August.
Macclesfield FC: Pitaluga, Hanson, Lee, Fensome, Cowan, Mendy, Kengni, Danns, Curran, Duffy (Maynard ’71), Berry.
Subs not used: Clare, Byrne, Owens, Grimshaw, Bower.
By Will Jones.
