LDV Vans Trophy

MACCLESFIELD Town are just two games away from a dream final at the Millennium Stadium.

The cash-strapped club weathered a second-half storm against Conference high-fliers Hereford United to set up a money-spinning two-legged area final with League Two rivals Carlsile United.

The Silkmen came under siege after the break, but held on to overcome the plucky non-leaguers in the Northern section semi-final at Moss Rose last night (Tuesday).

First-half goals from Danny Whitaker and Paul Harsley paved the way for a lucrative payday for Macc, who have been ordered to pay £267,000 by the Football Association in seven days' time.

But the Cheshire club were grateful the Bulls, and particularly former Cameroon international Guy Ipoua, wasted a succession of chances in the second period.

Brian Horton's side had started brightly and Whitaker saw his chip clawed to safety by goalkeeper Craig Mawson. The Silkmen midfielder was not to be denied on 19 minutes though when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up to rifle home.

The hosts doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Kevin McIntyre set up Harsley who finished expertly from the edge of the area.

However, Macc's recent jitters returned after the interval allowing the Bulls to dominate. Ipoua squandered several chances, the best of which saw the ex-Gillingham man fluff a close-range header with the goal at his mercy, while Hereford were denied a blatant penalty when the ball struck Danny Swailes on the hand.

More chances followed for the visitors, but they could not find a way past Alan Fettis as the Silkmen held on for a famous victory.

MACCLESFIELD: Fettis, Sandwith, Morley, Swailes, Bullock, Harsley, Whitaker, McIntyre, Navarro, Townson (Miles 62), Wijnhard. Subs not used: Smart, Teague, Lee, Beresford.