Macclesfield hold firm to deny promotion-chasing Tranmere and earn a point

Posted Wednesday, January 02, 2019 by PA

Tranmere lost ground in the promotion race after failing to make their superiority pay in a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield.

The first half was dominated by Tranmere who will be kicking themselves at only scoring once and conceding nine minutes later from Macclesfield’s first real attack.

Former Silkman Connor Jennings fired the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute with a long-range shot flashing past Kieran O’Hara and inside the post.

It should have been a greater lead with O’Hara thwarting James Norwood and Jonathan Smith, while Mark Ellis heading wide at a set-piece.

And the hosts finally picked their way through the Tranmere defence to level moments before the break, with Koby Arthur slotting in after a smart passing move.

The onslaught continued after the interval, sparked by Norwood effort which was fired narrowly over from a tight angle.

O’Hara had a helping hand from defender Fiacre Kelleher, who dived to nod James Harris’ goalbound drive to safety.

But the visitors failed to pose the same attacking threat in the second half, Tranmere were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.