Indeed all the incident occurred before kick-off as goalkeeper Shaun Marshall, who has been on the substitutes' bench all season waiting for his chance, was finally granted one when regular Kevin Pilkington went down to a virus.
David Pipe also signed a new two-year contract to the relief of the club and the joy of the fans who gave him a big welcome after the news was broadcast over the public address system.
The game itself was an untidy, scrappy affair in which Notts were made to rue a series of missed opportunities to make the points secure and keep them out of the relegation dog fight.
The only Notts goal came right at the end of the first half when Chris Palmer's corner was flicked on by Julien Baudet, fumbled by Tommy Lee and headed in at the back post by central defender Mike Edwards.
County's chronic lack of goals is underlined by Edwards being top scorer on seven.
Steve Scoffham had chances in each half but neglected them before being replaced by Dan Chillingworth, who scarcely had an opportunity at all.
As for Marshall, his confidence grew after a splendid early save. Visiting striker Matt McNeil drove in a hard low shot which Marshall did really well to turn round his right-hand upright.
Macclesfield had as much of the play as Notts in the first half, but like their hosts, they could not turn their chances into an advantage.
It looked for a long time as if Edwards' goal would be sufficient to end Notts' lean home spell when referee Paul Mellin got embroiled in controversy through the award of a penalty to Macclesfield.
Brian O'Callaghan got the merest of touches on a challenge with Macclesfield sub Kevin Townson who went sprawling in the box.
It looked a soft penalty and certainly one disputed by Notts, but Paul Harsley kept his nerve to drive the ball powerfully past Marshall.
Up to that point it had looked as if the Notts league debutant would keep a clean sheet but he was denied it in the most dubious of circumstances.