Silkmen send Halifax down at The Shay

by John McCombe.

However, despite holding on for much of the first half, Halifax broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time as Richard Peniket cut inside from the right and played in McManus who slotted the ball past Branagan.

Macc came out after the interval looking to get the equaliser and defender Neill Byrne came close after 47 minutes with a header, but he couldn’t get enough power behind it.

Halifax looked to put the game out of reach and chances fell thick and fast between the 50th and 60th minutes, firstly a double save from Branagan denied Connor Hughes and Jordan Burrow, before Josh MacDonald had an effort saved by the Macclesfield keeper.

Ritchie’s saves were vital, as in the 62nd minute the Silkmen drew level and it was that man Rowe who was on the end of a Sampson flick before managing to beat Samuel Johnson to make it 1-1.

The goal changed the momentum in the game and Macclesfield looked to go in front and a chance fell to Dennis in the 66th minute, but it was well saved by Johnson.

Moments later in the 68th minute, Rowe almost doubled his tally and put Macc 2-1 up, as an effort from range hit the post.

The Shaymen then soaked up the pressure from Macc during the final 20 minutes of the game and had their hearts in their mouths when Danny Whitaker curled wide late on.

With four minutes of additional time added on and with Halifax staring relegation in the face, substitute Danny Hattersley hit the post and Halifax couldn’t put in the rebound, condemning them to relegation to the National League North.

The draw means that the Silkmen end the season with just one defeat in their final eleven games, with that coming against league champions Cheltenham Town.

After initially targeting promotion, it turned out to be a tame end to the season for Macc, with the team finishing 14 points adrift of the play-off places.