Leyton Orient caretaker boss Martin Ling recorded his second successive win as first-half goals from David McGhee and Gary Alexander put his side in control.
With their noses in front, Orient worked tirelessly to record only their second home victory of the season.
After the game, Ling said: "I thought we played well in the first half, but were not too clever in the second "But I wanted to get things right defensively and we have kept two clean sheets. I'm happy to take our first-half performance and try and build that up for 90 minutes.
"In our position we have to work hard defensively and the football will follow. That's two wins out of two and although there is room for improvement, I would have settled for six points out of six a week ago when I was given the job." Orient could not have wished for a better start. The game was just 14 minutes old when David Hunt's corner from the left was headed home by skipper McGhee.
The O's extended their advantage on 25 minutes when Jabo Ibehre bravely headed the ball over Town goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, following Wayne Purser's throughball.
Myhill knocked Ibehre flat out, but the goal rolled against the post and Alexander slid the rebound home.
Ibehre was stretchered off after a four-minute delay and was replaced by Chris Tate. But Orient continued to press and just before the break Matthew Lockwood had a shot saved by Myhill and then Tate headed a Lockwood cross over the bar.
Straight after the break, Orient should have added a third but Purser opted to shoot instead of setting up the unmarked Tom Newey.
Little was seen of Macclesfield as an attacking force and they are still searching for their first away win of the season. There only shot on target came just 12 minutes from time when Lee Harrison saved well from substitute Steve Clark.