City gain point against basement boys

Last updated : 01 April 2004 By Gary Hutchinson

Neither manager admitted that they were disappointed with a point after a frustrating stalemate that did neither Macclesfield's hopes of league survival nor Lincoln's dreams of automatic promotion any good.

Macclesfield manager John Askey said: "It was a point gained not two lost, but we will just have to see at the end of the season.

"Every point that gets us closer to 50 is a bonus. Lincoln are a strong team that are going for the play-offs and I thought that defensively we did very well."Lincoln manager Keith Alexander said: "If you come to a side that were beaten 4-0 the previous Saturday you know they're going to shut up shop.

"We had the majority of the play but couldn't get a goal. That said we didn't create too many clear-cut chances.

"I don't look at it as two points dropped because when you come away from home you've always got to be satisfied with a point."Lincoln had the first chance in the second minute when Simon Yeo forced Steve Wilson to claw a header from underneath the crossbar. Yeo started ahead of Franny Green in a shaken up City side.

Macclesfield should have equalised in the ninth minute, but having risen above the opposition defence, centre-back Steve Payne planted a firm header narrowly wide.

Lincoln went closest moments before the break, a curling Kevin Ellison free-kick palmed on to his own crossbar by Wilson. Ellison proved a threat down the left for City, but his defensive capabilities are limited. However another sterling display from Ellison was one of the few things City travellers had to cheer.

Neither side could control the game in the second half, but Macclesfield had the best chance in the 72nd minute when a crashing volley from Matthew Tipton ricocheted off keeper Alan Marriott's shoulder and luckily over his own crossbar.

Payne again went close again at the death, but his 15-yard volley was blocked on the six-yard line.

The result sees City slip to seventh just inside the play offs.