Final score was harsh on a spirited team effort

NEIL Howarth’s and Danny Whitaker’s first game in charge ended in defeat as Accrington Stanley ran out 4-1 winners at the Wham Stadium.

Peter Vincenti’s first Macclesfield goal was not enough to secure a result in the Checkatrade Trophy fixture, with Accrington displaying a clinical performance to move them top of the Northern Group C.

Both teams had chances in the opening stages of the game, but it was Accrington who made their breakthrough after 35 minutes.

Offrande Zanzala managed to race across the Silkmen byline before smashing an effort that was deflected and looped over to an unmarked Sam Finlay, who headed in from just a yard out.

The Silkmen were dealt with an injury blow moments before half-time as Koby Arthur was forced off with a slight niggle, although his replacement Vincenti almost made an immediate impact - he teed-up Scott Wilson to strike an effort that needed a bit more venom to test Maxted.

The Silkmen enjoyed more positive spells of possession in the second half and found themselves exploring dangerous areas, but John Coleman’s side proved to be both compact and difficult to break down.

However, Macclesfield were proving to be resilient, and it paid dividends when they had their equaliser.

A long free-kick from Rose was greeted by the head of Vincenti, and the substitute powered his header past Maxted to restore parity.

Nevertheless, Accrington found themselves retaking the lead five minutes later, when a Daniel Barlaser free-kick from the right found Zanzala, who rose high above everyone else to fire past an unfortunately stranded Taylor.

The goal was an undeserved sucker punch for Macclesfield, but the visitors still responded well and looked to up the intensity in a bid to find an equaliser.

The game developed into an end-to-end thriller, and the Silkmen were able to largely contain their opponents whilst causing danger themselves.

Substitute Harry Smith was causing the Stanley back four issues, and he held the ball up well before feeding Vincenti, who’s effort was cleared.

Accrington went down the other end and Taylor was this time tested by Jordan Clark, but the goalkeeper made a comfortable save and immediately launched a Silkmen counter.

The ball then landed at the feet of Smith 25-yards out, but the strikers audacious effort sailed high and wide.

It proved to be another missed chance to rue for Macclesfield as Accrington punished them with 10 minutes remaining.

The substitute Clark played a through ball to Connor Hall, who tried to square it across for Zanzala but found the ball being turned into the net by Fitzpatrick.

The hosts then sealed their victory in the dying moments after patient build-up play from Accrington provided Barlaser time to run at the Silkmen defence, and the midfielder wriggled his way through before unleashing a stunning strike and round up the win.

MACCLESFIELD TOWN:

Taylor, Hodgkiss, Lowe, Kelleher, Fitzpatrick ©, Rose, Maycock, Arthur ( Vincenti, 41), Napa, Wilson (Blissett, 58), Marsh (Smith, 68)

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:

Simpson, Grimes, Stephens, Pearson

Maxted, Platt, Sykes ©, Richards-Everton, Anderton, Mingoia, Finley (Nolan, 82), Barlaser, Hall, Mangan (Clark, 75), Zanzala (Scott, 90)

ACCRINGTON STANLEY: UNUSED SUBSTITUTES:

Warner, Ihiekwe, Mohammed, Kee