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MACCLESFIELD bounced back from a heavy Darlington loss with a solid, if unspectacular performance that won them their first point.

After a 4-0 drubbing in the north east, Darloés neighbours Hartlepool visited Moss Rose hoping to recover from their own first-day defeat.

Brian Horton was rightly critical of his defence at the weekend and had called for a marked improvement in Tuesday nightés rainy encounter. He got one.

The only change to the starting line-up was debutant Jordan Hadfield, coming in for John Miles, who dropped to the bench. Though too many of his passes went astray, he was not alone in this aspect and the youth team product can be pleased with his contribution in midfield.

The first half was a highly unentertaining period, with the first shot at goal coming 15 minutes in. However, Kevin McIntyreés effort, coming after Martin Bullockés short free-kick, was lashed wildly wide.

Bullock became the first Macc man to see a yellow card this season, incurring the refés displeasure when he dragged back Hartlepoolés Joel Porter at the half-way line. A livelier Bully attacking the right flank posed a real threat to éPool and the Blues were a more dangerous prospect as a result.

Maccés front pair combined after 30 minutes and Robinsonés neat turn and shot was blocked by Nelson for a corner.

Moments later, the best chance of the game fell to McNeil. Alan Navarro slid in a neat pass down the left-hand side but McNeil wasted the opportunity, putting his right-foot shot wide of the mark. Macc would not create a better opening all night.

Tommy Lee was looking composed and commanding in his box, getting down to stop a low drive from James Brown, but Lee was generally untroubled in a goal-less first half.

Macc had been both committed and collective in their defending, playing the numbers game to snuff out any éPool openings.

At the other end, the home teamés final ball went astray too many times, though Bullockés willingness to get at his markers allowed him to test Konstantopoulos with a low shot shortly after the hour mark.

Soon after, Horton sent on Colin Heath in an attempt to force a winner but, with both centre-back pairings on top, the match played out to its inevitable conclusion.

Afterwards, the Macc boss showed a mixture of pleasure and disappointment, the former prompted by Morley and Swailesé vastly improved performances, the latter at not being able to win the game.

Horton said: "We created miles more chances on Saturday at Darlington but Iém disappointed not to have got three points tonight. Ités an unbelievable game, football.

"We defended a lot better but I thought we could have passed the ball better. Iém not happy with the draw, Iéd like to have won the game. Weéve worked a lot on defence, so weéve now got to work on attacking I suppose. Weéve got to score. Weéve had two games and no goals and thatés a bit of a concern.

"But ités something to build on. Theyéve responded tonight, theyére decent and honest lads and they work hard.

"The back eight defended much better in front of Tommy Lee. Dave Morley and Danny Swailes were very positive and gave us commanding performances. When those two are on their game, theyére as good as anyone in this division.

"Matty McNeil had a great chance to win the game for us. He scored goals for us last season and he will do again this season.

"It was a great debut for Jordan Hadfield. He played for nothing in order to probe a point to us last year, and he worked his socks off. He likes a challenge, definitely.

"Our home record was as good as almost anyone else in this league last year. The point tonight has given us a sound basis for another tough game on Saturday."

Horton also had news concerning his left-back, who is to make his stay at Macclesfield a more permanent arrangement: "Jimmy McNulty has agreed to stay with us for 12 months so weéll hopefully get that sorted this week. Thereés something there to work with there. Hopefully there is another signing not too far off as well."