Nationwide Division Three
Rochdale 1
Macclesfield Town 2

AS a supporter, player or follower of Macclesfield Town, days like these do not come along very often. It all clicked at Spotland, and the relief was palpable.

Club officials, and even boss Brian Horton would have that the club are far from safety after their heroic 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Rochdale, but try telling that to the legion of 1,200 Macc fans who made the trip round the M60 to cheer on their side when they needed them most.

When it mattered most, Macc found heroes in ever corner of the pitch. Steve Payne and young Michael Welch were immense at the back, George Abbey ran the game from the right flank in the second half and Chris Priest was virtually omnipotent as he chased, harried and hustled the Dale midfield.

But if anyone was forced to single one man out from the eleven on show - Matt Tipton would surely get the vote.

Having already bagged 16 goals this season, Tipton spent a lot of the first half isolated - estranged from his strike partner Jonathan Parkin. Frustration looked to be getting the better of the former Welsh under-21 international, but in the 61st minute that all changed.

Paul Harsley released Graham Potter down the left, and a low ball into the area presented little danger as it fell to Tippy with his back to goal. A deft turn and swivelled shot later - and the Welshman was wheeling away in delight, leaving marker Gareth Griffiths on his backside.

Nineteen minutes later and Macc were awarded the type of penalty which only seems to go against sides who are deep in the proverbial mire. Abbey surged down the right and cut inside, delivering a cross which bounced off Greg Heald's elbow and out of play.

The appeal was instant from both Abbey and the fans, and referee Mark Cowburn - jeered almost constantly since the opening whistle - suddenly appeared on over a thousand Christmas card lists.

There was no doubt just who would take the penalty, and as Tipton placed the ball there was little doubt as to what the outcome would be. Macc boss Brian Horton, who scored his fair share of spot kicks throughout a long career in football, described the kick as the hardest, most pressured he had ever witnessed. Tippy was celebrating before Dale keeper Neil Edwards had hit the floor.

Macc boss Horton refused to believe the Silkmen had done enough to ensure safety in Division Three - and told his side to "keep going" for the final four games of the season.

He said: "I probably had fewer strong words to say at half time than I did against Leyton Orient to be honest. I said we needed to go out there and play them like we did in the first 20 minutes."

"We responded magnificently in the second half. George Abbey was the outlet, and when we started to work it out to him it started to work for us."

Commenting on Tipton's double strike, Horton was full of praise for the Macc hitman.

"The first one was a tremendous little turn, but the second was the best penalty I have ever seen in terms of pressure."

"I used to take them myself throughout my career and I can tell you - they aint easy."

Rochdale protested that the handball was accidental, but Horton said after the game he thought referee Mark Cowburn was correct to ward the spot kick.

He said: "The referee was right on the spot and it was a great run by George."

Att: 4,942.

Ref: Mark Cowburn (Lancashire).