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Grimsby Town 1 Macc Town 1

Mike Glendinning
29/ 8/2007

Grimsby Town 1
Macc Town 1

MACCLESFIELD battled their way to a point in a backs-to-the-wall performance that left Ian Brightwell a happier man than his Grimsby counterpart.

The Silkmen survived a first-half onslaught before taking a lead through Mariners old-boy Martin Gritton but couldn't hold on as substitute Andy Taylor levelled for the hosts.

With Michael Husbands not recovering from his hamstring problem, Gritton made his first Macc start, alongside Francis Green.

Justin Whittle spurned the home team's first clear-cut chance, heading Paul Bolland's cross wide from close range.

Danny North was also wasteful when Ciaran Toner presented him with an even better opportunity midway through the half.

Former loan signing Isaiah Rankin had two chances in quick succession to run at Tommy Lee. Lee made a fine block to deny Rankin's first effort but, when Rankin squared to North, Lee gratefully accepted the help of Richard Edghill and Kevin McIntyre to keep the scores level moments later.

Macc came into the game as half-time drew near, but Green's shot, after neat interplay with Gritton, was blocked, as was Levi Reid's follow-up.

Rankin had a chance to end the half on a high note, but his shot hit the outside of Lee's post and the half ended goalless.

Two minutes after the restart, substitute Gary Jones put North in on goal but he also hit the woodwork.

Macc looked to play their passing game and occasionally threatened, and a fierce 20-yard low drive from Green was well saved by Grimsby keeper Phil Barnes.

After Tom Newey's cross found Rankin, another Mariners chance went begging and frustrated manager Alan Buckley replaced him with Taylor moments later as he looked to secure his team's first win of the season.

Gritton gave Macc the lead in a goal disputed by the home side. Adam Murray's free-kick into the box was knocked back by Carl Regan, who arrived late at the back post. As the defenders claimed a goal-kick, Regan presented Gritton with the simplest of tap-ins.

Macc almost doubled their lead when a short McIntyre free-kick put Reid in but his drive whistled just inches past Barnes' post.

Although the Silkmen had the upper hand at this stage, Grimsby's equaliser, with 15 minutes left, illustrated Brightwell's need to add height to his back-line. Danny Boshell's corner reached Ryan Bennett, and his header was turned in by Taylor.

Set-pieces had been a problem area throughout the match and Jones was foiled by the excellent Lee, before Bolland miscued a chance from virtually on the goal-line.

Brightwell showed his own intentions of taking home all the points, replacing Gritton, who had given his all in the hot sun.

Either side could have won it in the final few minutes, Green skipping past Mariners skipper Justin Whittle and letting fly before Barnes pulled off a fine save. At the other end, James Hunt drove a 12-yard shot well wide and both teams settled for their third draw of the season.