Scunthorpe 1 Macclesfield 1

Last updated : 08 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Macclesfield's hopes of avoiding the dreaded drop out of the Football League received a boost as they grabbed a point at promotion-chasing Scunthorpe, leaving manager David Moss in optimistic mood.

"I am confident we can escape the drop, we defended brilliantly and I am satisfied with a point,” he said.

"I expected a tight game against a team going for promotion and we worked very hard and tried to win it in the last 15 to 20 minutes." His opposite number Brian Laws admitted to being disappointed, commenting: "We desperately wanted to win this game. We knew Macclesfield would be strong. We had to be patient and didn't have a shot in the first half.

"Things changed at half time and we had a goal shortly afterwards. I wish we could have held on, but they got an equaliser and went home very happy." The strong wind made ball control difficult and the visitors used it to their advantage when clearing their lines, they were resolute at the back where skipper Darren Tinson kept a tight reign on Scunthorpe's attack and received valuable support from Danny Adams and Michael Welch.

Town’s Kyle Lightbourne made a strong run through the middle for the visitors but his finishing was poor, driving straight at Evans.

The big striker then got in a half volley which was off target but he was a constant threat and it needed excellent work from Mark Jackson and Matt Sparrow to keep him in check.

Scunthorpe showed more ambition as the second half got under way and after Andy Dawson saw a speculative 30-yard shot fly over the bar he was then on hand to force a corner on the left.

It was Peter Beagrie who curled the ball in from the corner to the near post where striker Paul Hayes headed the ball past Steve Wilson with ease in the 53rd minute.

Hayes was again to the fore with a brilliant shot which brought an equally fine save from Wilson and then Sparrow carved out an opening for the striker but his final effort lacked any power.

Macclesfield began to show a little more in the later stages and they deservedly drew level in the 71st minute when Matthew Tipton who had only been on the field two minutes got in a shot which was blocked by Evans but followed up to net the rebound.