PAUL HARSLEY kept his cool to grab an 89th minute equaliser and earn Macclesfield Town a vital point in their fight for League Two survival.

The Silkmen midfielder held his nerve from the penalty spot after substitute Kevin Townson was tripped in the area by Brian OéCallaghan.

Harsleyés late strike saved Tommy Leeés blushes after the goalkeeperés error had lead to Notts Countyés opener in first-half injury time. The on-loan Manchester United shot-stopper dropped Chris Palmerés corner and Michael Edwards pounced to hand the home side an undeserved lead.

"Tommy thought he was pushed but I couldnét see it from where I was," said Horton. "But a point was the least we deserved. There was only one side in it and if we had lost it would have been very unjust."

The Silkmen boss added: "We looked a good side and we had the better of the chances. I was pleased with the performance although it typifies our away form; we played very well but we just didnét get the result. However, in the end, it was a very valuable point."

But Horton can feel aggrieved it was not all three after watching his side waste a host of glorious opportunities.

Magpies goalkeeper Shaun Murphy, a late replacement for Kevin Pilkington who fell ill during the warm-up, produced a fingertip save to deny Matthew McNeil in the fifth minute.

Harsley then sent a dipping drive inches over on 16 minutes before, just two minutes later, Marcus Richardson inexplicably headed over Kevin McIntyreés superb cross from four yards.

Danny Whitakerés superb defence-splitting pass then found McIntyre inside the penalty area, but the midfield man opted to cross when shooting would have been a better option. The home side rarely threatened, but Macc skipper David Morley was required to make a vital intervention when he cleared off his own line after Steve Scoffham had lobbed Lee.

It was the visitors who looked the more assured, with Martin Bullock in particular impressing, but on the stroke of half-time defender Edwards capitalised on Leeés mistake to send County into the interval in front. Macclesfield continued to create out the better chances after the break with the hapless Richardson again guilty of squandering a great opportunity when he scuffed his effort six minutes after the restart.

Kevin Sandwithés 30-yard piledriver went narrowly wide, before Horton introduced Townson, and the striker made his mark for the second time in three games after coming off the bench.

With the visitors heading for their 12th away defeat of the season, the lively Townson was tripped in the area and Harsley fired home the penalty to earn Macc a well-deserved point.

NOTTS COUNTY: Marshall, Pipe, Edwards, OéCallaghan, Baudet, Doyle, Palmer, Crooks, Schoffam (Chillingworth 78), Needham, Martin. Subs (not used): Frost, Long, Pilkington, McMahon. Booked: Crooks, Baudet.

MACCLESFIELD: Lee, Sandwith, Morley, Swailes, Bullock, Harsley, Richardson (Townson 78), Whitaker, McIntyre, Teague (Brightwell 45), McNeil. Subs (not used): Fettis, Miles, Navarro. Star man: Martin Bullock.

Referee: Paul Melin.

Attendance: 4,393 (241).