Coca-Cola League Two

BRIAN Horton’s pleas for more goals were not answered as Macclesfield did everything but score in a goalless draw against Notts County.

Andy Smart and David Beresford went closest for the Silkmen with both players hitting the crossbar in the first half.

But 19th-placed Macc, who rose two spots in the table after their third successive draw, failed to break the deadlock at Moss Rose.

At least the Macclesfield boss could take solace from a clean sheet, only their second of a fitful season, and the return to form of Danny Swailes, who was outstanding in the heart of the defence.

Horton will be less impressed that his side have now gone five games without a win, though the Silkmen were unfortunate to come up against an inspired display of goalkeeping from the Magpies’ Kevin Pilkington.

The former Manchester United shot-stopper made two wonderful saves to deny Swailes’ glancing header and, with an even better stop, tipped David Beresford’s 20-yard drive on to the underside of the bar on the stroke of half-time. He could only watch when Andrew Smart let fly from 35-yards but the 19-year-old’s thunderbolt struck the woodwork with the County keeper beaten.

“I’m frustrated,” said Horton. “I thought first half we played very well. We’ve hit the bar twice and I don’t know how Pilks has kept Beresford’s effort out.”

He added: “I’m disappointed we only got one point. That’s three good draws, but draws are useless. But if they keep playing like that we’ll win more than we lose. I thought we deserved a goal with some of our play and I can’t criticise the players if they give me that effort all the time.”

The home side had started brightly and could have been in front inside two minutes when Allan Russell fired inches over from Kevin McIntyre’s cross.

Russell should have done better on 15 minutes when he ran on to Martin Bullock’s delightful through ball, but the striker delayed his shot allowing Kelvin Wilson to make a challenge.

After the break, though not lacking in entertainment, saw both sides struggled to create chances, though Russell appeared to be held back by Wilson in the area.

Horton said: “I thought it was a penalty - mind you, I thought they might have had one first half.”

Both teams had chances to steal the three points in injury time. First, Bullock saw his goal-bound effort headed clear before Tyrone Berry squandered an excellent chance when he shot tamely at Fettis, in his 400th career appearance, from 12 yards.

MACCLESFIELD TOWN: Fettis, Morley, Swailes, Bullock, Harsley, Beresford, Whitaker (Townson 73), McIntyre, Briscoe, Smart, Russell. Subs (not used): Miles, Barras, Deasy, Brightwell. Star man: Danny Swailes.

NOTTS COUNTY: Pilkington, Pipe, Edwards, O’Callaghan, Gill (Long 60), Gordon (Scoffham 86), Ullathorne, McGoldrick (Hurst 73), Wilson, Sheridan, Berry. Subs (not used): Palmer, Marshall.

Referee: A Bates.

Attendance: 1,892 (306).