Struggling Torquay were given an injection of hope by super sub Jo Kuffour with a second-half brace. A vital three points in Cheshire means the Gulls are just five points from safety while Macclesfield remain looking over their shoulders.
Macclesfield were unlucky not to take the lead in the fifth minute when a fire-cracker free-kick from Kevin Sandwith rattled the crossbar, but Torquay responded with Danny Holland's driving a left-foot shot inches over the bar. Then Kevin Hill saw a fierce drive bounce back off keeper Tommy Lee only to be scrambled clear by the defence.
Macclesfield pressed hard in the closing stages of the first half with midfield man Danny Whitaker testing keeper Andy Marriott from 20 yards before slicing inches wide five minutes later.
The vital goal came in the 53rd minute when Lee Thorpe headed down for Kuffour to stab home from six yards.
Macclesfield then missed a succession of chances with Danny Swailes fluffing a close- range header, Kevin Townson hitting a shot into the side netting and Matty McNeil nodding on to the crossbar from close range.
Kuffour sealed the game in the 89th minute when he pounced on a mistake from David Morley to home in on goal and slide the ball past Tommy Lee from 15 yards.