Derby delight denied in the dying embers
THERE was heartbreak for Macclesfield Town after Callum Ainley’s 95th minute equaliser ensured the latest Cheshire Derby would end in a draw.
Mark Kennedy’s
Moss Rose bow looked to have begun with a win after Paul Green’s own goal, however late drama forced the head coach to wait for his first three points at the club.
Macc started the game with great intensity, pressing Crewe before they had chance to manufacture any real chances. The first chance of the game fell to Arthur Gnahoua who saw his shot held by Jaaskelainen in the 14th minute.
David Artell’s side struggled to deal with the high press and they had to wait patiently for their first chance to test debutant Jonathan Mitchell. The Macc ‘keeper was called into action when Charlie Kirk curled a shot from outside the box, but he dealt with it with ease.
Macc continued to take the game to
Crewe in the first half, Connor Kirby was next to take aim through a crowd of players but again Jaaskelainen got down well.
It looked like the first half would end goalless, but shortly before the whistle, Macc took a deserved lead with the help of a Crewe Alex defender! Gnahoua’s cross evaded everybody inside the box except Paul Green, who slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
The Railwaymen came out fighting in the second half as they stamped their authority on the game. Perry Ng came close with a dipping header on the front post after good play from the visitors.
Macc had a glorious chance to extend their advantage when Connor Kirby lofted a delightful cross into the path of Fraser Horsfall, but the Macclesfield defender just couldn’t get there in time.
Captain Kelleher was dependable when called upon and none more so than in the 57th minute, when he flew in front of Anene from close range to stop an almost certain goal.
With 35 minutes to play, Crewe should’ve levelled. Lowery’s free kick evaded multiple Alex attackers included Michael Nottingham, who was inches away from equalizing at the back post.
Crewe were using the ball better now, with tired Macc legs appearing after an intense first half of pressing from the Silkmen, however Mitchell remained largely untested between the sticks.
Despite a resolute and tough performance from Macclesfield, their efforts were not rewarded with three points. Deep into five minutes of stoppage time, substitute
Callum Ainley prodded home from close range after a goal mouth scramble.