Macclesfield Town have turned to their former boss Brian Horton to save them from the drop.

Saturday’s defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge left Macc outside the relegation spots on goal difference alone and led to the sacking of Gary Simpson, who had been in charge for two years following the passing of his predecessor Keith Alexander.

Horton, who himself was shown the door after a poor start to the 2006/07 season, has been given nine games to rescue the Silkmen, which began at Rotherham United on Tuesday night.

"It’s nice to be back, definitely," said the former Manchester City boss, who had been Phil Brown’s number two during high-profile stints at Hull City and Preston North End.

"Staff-wise and player-wise it’s very different to when I was last here but there are some old faces, and good people at the club.

"I’m coming back but I see it as a new challenge, and one I’m looking forward to,

"Some people thought I was mad the last time around but I had some good times here, I enjoyed some good memories.

"I was in early on Monday morning and I noticed what a lively bunch they were.

"You certainly wouldn’t have thought they hadn’t won for so long. They’re young and vibrant but I did have to tell them to get a smile back on their faces.

"They’ve been very pleasing so far, but training sessions can be false, it’s what happens on matchdays that’s important.

"The games are coming quickly, starting against Rotherham, that’s the immediate priority, and if we can get four points this week then that will be a good start."

The vastly experienced Horton is one of a small number of managers to make the 1,000-game mark and it’s that experience and know-how that prompted the Moss Rose board to ask Simpson to step down in favour of the man who performed an impressive rescue act in similar cicrumstances in 2004.

And Horton was quick to pay tribute to Simpson and the job he did during the last two years.

"You always feel sorry for people who get the sack in football, he seems a good manager who did a good job, especially with everything that happened.

"The business is volatile at any level. I thought we played okay in my last season here, but these things happen.

"I’m glad to be back in football, I’ve missed it a lot."

Vice-chairman Andy Scott, who admitted that relieving Simpson of his duties was one of the hardest tasks he’s faced, said: "I looked Brian in the eye and asked him directly if he was up for the fight, and he said he couldn’t wait, he’s been out of the game for a few months and can’t wait to get back at it.

"He’s still got great affection for Macclesfield Town, he was itching to get his tracksuit on and get to the training ground.

"Keeping us in the league is not an easy task but with his experience and contacts we couldn’t think of anybody better."