City pay price for "all out defence" play at Macclesfield

Lincoln City were less than 2 minutes away from what would have been an undeserved win before a late Macclesfield goal secured them a point. Other than the attack that produced the goal, the Imps spent virtually the entire match defending and in the last twenty minutes didn't even attempt to close down more than 30 yards from goal.

Macclesfield kicked off the game and an early corner for the hosts was cleared by Ben Hutchinson. Ex-Imp Paul Morgan has an easy job clearing a Delroy Facey chance before Hutchinson committed a foul on Nat Brown, another ex-Imp. The Silkmen found themselves through on goal soon afterwards with Tyrone Barnett behind the defender, his shot just on the edge of the area was well held by Carson though and the Imps had received a big let off.

City launched a counter attack from this and won a corner, the corner was played in before falling to Hunt 25 yards out, he launched a dipping 25 yard shot that sailed over Vega and in off of the underside of the bar. Macclesfield almost equalised straight away through yet another ex-Imp, Hamza Bencherif prodding just wide of the target from close range.

Diagne was booked after thirty minutes before Hone was fouled viciously, although no free kick was given. A penalty shout for City was ignored by the referee as Ben Hutchinson went down theatrically from a challenge. Bencherif launched a long range effort straight at Carson before Hutchinson was booked for persistent fouling on the verge of half time

Macclesfield continued having plenty of possession but they weren't creating any realistic chances, although Danny Hone was booked for denying Barnett a free run on goal. Grimes soon joined him in the book for kicking the ball away, leaving him one yellow card away from being banned. Carson again denied a near certain goal from a brilliant Draper shot before Hutchinson again fouled Morgan before kicking the ball away, Hutchinson then saw the red card being waved in his direction.

City went all out defence after this, barely progressing beyond the 18 yard area, even when the ball was up at the other end of the pitch, Paul Morgan has probably never had this much time on the ball in his live.

Despite all of the possession, Macclesfield still weren't creating many chances, but the chances they were created were wasted....until the second minute in added on time. After consistent pressure, Macclesfield got their deserved equaliser as Wedgebury controlled the ball on the half-volley just outside the area before unleashing a shot goalwards, it took a deflection that took it beyond Carson to equalise and end the match in terms of realistic chances.