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Macclesfield Town 0 Bristol Rovers 1

Mike Glendinning
24/ 4/2007

MACCLESFIELD Town slipped further into relegation trouble with a defeat at home to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

Macc had a game in hand over all but one of their close rivals, but couldn't find a way to make it pay dividends. The form side were visiting the Moss Rose on the back of eight league games unbeaten and, in the opening ten minutes, former Silkman Rickie Lambert hit a header straight at Tommy Lee from eight yards out.

In the first half, John Miles and John Murphy had efforts off-target and Martin Bullock's volley was blocked by Pirates' keeper Steve Phillips.

Although Macc shaded the first half, their best chance fell to Matty McNeil, whose header was saved by Phillips.

Bristol Rovers made the better start to the second half and, after a shot by Joe Jacobson had hit the post, Lee foiled Craig Disley with a good save.

Twenty minutes into the half, Matty Tipton, who had replaced Murphy shortly before the break, saw a header clear the bar.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Pirates took the lead. A mistake by Rob Scott gave 19-year old substitute Sean Rigg the opportunity to fire a volley into the bottom corner, giving Lee no chance.

Almost immediately, more than 60 miles away, Michael Proctor gave Wrexham the lead at Gay Meadow and Macc were in danger of being overtaken by the Dragons.

With five minutes left, Carl Regan made way for Isaiah Rankin but he couldn't force the equaliser.

Macc's last chance fell to McNeil but his header, from six yards out, was directed wide of the goal.

The defeat, coupled with Wrexham's 1-0 win at Shrewsbury, means that Paul Ince and Macclesfield must wait a little longer before League Two safety is guaranteed.

Ince's side face a tricky game at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, while Boston, now two points behind Macc, have a home match against the already-relegated Torquay United.

TEAMS
MACC TOWN: Lee, Regan (Rankin 85), Morley, Scott, McIntyre, Miles, Hadfield, Navarro, Bullock, Murphy (Tipton 42), McNeil.
SUBS NOT USED: Jennings, Holgate, Benjamin.
BOOKED: Hadfield

BRISTOL ROVERS: Phillips, Anthony, Elliott, Carruthers, Jacobson, Green, Campbell, Disley, Haldane (Rigg 72), Lambert, Walker.
SUBS NOT USED: Green, Lines, Igoe, Sandell.
BOOKED: Elliott, Carruthers

ATTENDANCE: 1,940.
REF: Mr P Olivier