WOKING 1 MACCLESFIELD 0

WOKING earned a vital and deserved three points to remain above the relegation zone at the expense of Macclesfield Town’s play-off hopes, that are now all-but over.

On a day when relegation rivals Braintree Town and York City both won, Gozie Ugwu’s second half penalty was enough for the Cards, who are now unbeaten in their last three games.

Macclesfield had enjoyed plenty of success on the road this season but lost the midfield battle and lacked a cutting edge.

The Cards started on the front foot with Keiran Murtagh shooting over from range and then Terell Thomas’ effort drifted just wide. Moments later, Murtagh again tried his luck, this time with a header that dropped onto the roof of the net. Delano Sam-Yorke shot off-target from close range with Woking pushing for the opener before the in-form striker collided with Macclesfield keeper Craig Ross when bearing down on goal.

The visitors had barely threatened but their best chance came on the stroke of halftime when Chris Holroyd’s stunning overhead kick crashed back off the crossbar.

Woking will have felt the Silkmen were there for the taking and they got the breakthrough in the 61st minute. Macclesfield’s Danny Whitaker pulled back Kane Ferdinand in the area as he rose for a header and Ugwu, who came on as a substitute at half-time, calmly slotted home the resulting penalty. It was Ugwu’s 15th goal of the season and he almost added another late on with a shot that went yards wide of Ross’ right-hand post. Determined to get something from the game, Macclesfield threw everyone forward in the remaining ten minutes and Woking’s Michael Poke made a crucial late save to deny David Fitzpatrick.