This game had everything but goals.
A mass brawl in the second half, two dismissals and a spate off yellow cards left this match lacking in Christmas cheer but with a superb pantomime performance from referee Ray Olivier.
The first period was quickly forgotten and many of the crowd off 3079 were looking forward to an improved second half as the temperature dropped below freezing.
The game came to the boil in the 54th minute when Darlington striker Barry Conlon was shown a straight red card.
The decision seemed harsh as Conlon had kicked the ball, but it was nestling close to the chest of Macclesfield played David Eaton who was on the floor and the referee obviously thought it was dangerous play.
Conlon didn't leave the field immediately as a 20-man brawl had to be sorted out before the red card could be held aloft and the Darlington striker left for an early bath.
Chances were limited in the game but the official was determined to liven the proceeding up.
He booked Town captain Darren Tinson in the 57th minute, presumably for a foul although his challenge looked to be well timed and then two minutes later Darlington's Clark Keltie was also yellow carded after a similar challenge.
In the 74th minute Macclesfield's teenage mid fielder Michael Carr was shown a second yellow card for holding back Keltie.
Carr had been booked after only 35 seconds of the game, so his second yellow also meant an early bath for the debutant.
Both sides could have scored as the game neared it's conclusion. In the 84th minute a Richard Hodgson cross was headed wide from close range by Ian Clark, and two minutes from time Town striker Matthew Tipton fired wide when he should have scored.