Tom Kennedy's debatable, and possibly dubious, penalty on the stroke of half time proved to be enough for Keith Hill's side to record a 4th straight win and keep the pressure very much on the top 3.
In what in truth was a game of 2 halves Dale " footballed their hosts to death" in the opening period and should have led by a wider margin at the break. In the 2nd half they proved that they can defend well as Macclesfield went more and direct . Having said that Keith Alexanders side only created 2 chances of note and when they did goalkeeper Frank Fielding proved himself more than equal to them.
Not suprisingly Dale went into the game, after their unscheduled break, with an unchanged side and after a scrappy opening few minutes they took an absolute control of the football, racking up 11 corners in the opening half hour and pinning the homeside back into their own half for long periods.
Whislt chances were few and far throughout, a flurry arrived either side of the 20th minute. Captain Gary Jones saw his left footed drive deflected narrowly wide and from the subsequent corner Scott Wiseman saw his goalbound header hacked off the line. From the resulting corner Chris Dagnall saw his stooping header deflected narrowly over the crossbar.
On 26 minutes from a terrific Joe Thompson pass Wiseman rampaged forward on a trademark run but saw his low shot well saved by the legs of home keeper Jon Brain.
With just seconds remaining to the break an excellent through ball by Wiseman sent Dagnall flying towards goal and as Brain rushed out to meet him there certainly appeared to be contact from our vantage point in the press box. Mr Sarginson who in most peoples eyes had a poor game throughout certainly thought so and pointed to the spot. Having done so he should have red carded Brain but somewhat generously elected to show him a yellow card and the question has to be why?
After the understandable arguments had died down Kennedy stepped forward in front of the travelling fans and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Cue an incensed home manager when the half time whistle sounded almost immediately after.
In the second period Macclesfield at least enjoyed a little more possession of the ball but created only 2 worthwhile opportunities.
The first chance came on 62 minutes when a free kick was touched to Nat Brown and his low shot appeared to take at least one deflection in front of Frank Fielding but the young keeper reacted brilliantly to tip it away to safety.
With Nathan Stanton back to his very best Dale held a firm backline and the only other piece of work from Fielding saw him palm away a rising drive from substitute Gareth Evans in the 70th minute.
Other results copuld have gone better as far as we are concerned but a win in the "Kids for a Quid" home game against Morecambe on Tuesday night will see Keith's side into the top 3.
Exciting times ahead at Spotland as we eneter the business end of what promises to be a memorable season.
Teams
Macclesfield: Brain, Brisley, Morgan, Hessey (Evans 60), Reid,
Subs Not Used: Flynn, Tolley, Rooney.
Booked: Thomas, Brain, Sinclair.
Subs Not Used: Keltie, Ramsden.
Pictures courtesy of DY Sporting
