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Rickie's on a roll

3/12/2001

SOCCER: Torquay United 1 Macclesfield Town 2

Hot-shot Rickie Lambert has done it again.

The young Merseysider followed up his hat-trick against Luton Town with a brace against fellow strugglers Torquay.

Dave Moss will be delighted with their south coast success, which not only leap frogs them above Torquay, but moves them to sixth-from-bottom - their highest spot in weeks.

Torquay started strongest and David Graham's shot struck the post in the first minute.

Macc keeper Steve Wilson foiled Eifion Williams in the 17th minute before the visitors began to impose themselves as Chris Byrne fired a 30-yard blast inches wide.

Lambert broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when he slid in at the far post to finish off a Jeff Smith low cross.

This brought a quick response from Torquay, who rallied and were back on level terms nine minutes later. Kevin Hill volleyed home after being picked out from the melee by a Gregory Goodridge pass.

Following the replacement of referee Bob Harris for assistant Dave Dodd, the second half saw both sides going close.

Lambert tried his luck with a 20-yard free kick in the 64th minute which was gathered by keeper Dearden.

Byrne also nearly edged Macc in front with a long-range effort which beat Dearden but landed on the wrong side of the post.

Lambert settled the clash with a 72nd minute strike, which Dearden seemed to have covered but the ball bounced up through his arms and into the net.