Preserves AFC’s place at table top

On 65 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Litherland made the breakthrough.

The Litherland winger delivered a cross into the box which caught the wind and found its way into the back of the Macclesfield net.

Macclesfield manager Ed Haslam reshuffled the pack and brought on two more strikers in Harry Wheetman and Matt Horton.

Macclesfield pressed and were awarded a corner.

Substitute Wheetman delivered the corner and defender Chris Holland rose above his marker to thunder the ball into the back of the net leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Time was running out for Macclesfield but they continued to press knowing that the three points were necessary to maintain their advantage at the top of the league.

The referee indicated a minimum of five minutes added time.

Macclesfield flung the ball forward one last time and Mathers picked the ball up on the edge of the box and went past two players, and on his weaker right foot, let fly leaving the Litherland keeper with no chance.

The Macclesfield team didn’t hide their feelings and Mathers was swamped by all the players.

He was the hero but it was Chris Allen who stole the show and was awarded man of the match for producing tackle after tackle to produce one of the displays of the season.