Bumper home crowd
headed effort from close range had beaten MurrayJones, but a miraculous goal-line clearance from Curtis Jones kept the deficit minimal.
And circumstances only improved for the visitors after Palinkas was able to claw-back a leveller in additional time at the end of the first half.
Aaron Bennett’s corner was played short to Dontai Gabidon, whose quick footwork allowed him to beat Kengni and play a square ball into the centre that was flicked on by Palinkas inside the six-yard area to make things all square at the break.
It was the visitors who posed the first real threat of the second period, with Jordan Buckley looking to gain the advantage from inside the area but saw his shot stopped after Ollie Byrne made himself big enough, with Heathcote well prepared to cleanup the remains.
Just two minutes later, Macc were able to reinstate their lead after Drummond fired home on the half-hour mark.
After Tre Pemberton found Mendy out on the right, the goalscorer cut inside before feeding the ball to the feet of Drummond who broke the net with an extraordinary finish into the top right corner from a tight angle.
It then didn’t take long to double the lead after Duffy’s free-kick out on the right was headed away but only as far as Heathcote, who wasted no time in drilling a flawlessly placed effort through the sea of white shirt and into the bottom right corner to make it three and give the Silks confidence heading into the final 20 minutes.
Michael Clegg took this as an opportunity to turn to his bench, making a double substitution that saw Pemberton and Owolabi make way for Dan Lafferty and Tom Clare respectively.
It continued to spiral downhill for the Reds after Ennis’ reckless challenge on Drummond saw him pick up a second yellow, meaning the visitors had to find a way back into the game a man down.
Macc’s final change of the day then saw Dawson leave the field to applause, allowing for the introduction of Bohan Dixon.
The Silks remained
composed in the five minutes of additional time at the end of the 90, keeping possession away from their opponents to secure
all three points.
They now turn their attention to Saturday 6th April, where a huge FA Trophy test against
National League side Gateshead will determine their place at Wembley.
Byrne, Pemberton,
MANCHESTER: Murray-Jones, Ferguson, Hall, Donohue, Oliver, Jones, Gabidon, Munro, Bennett, Palinkas, Buckley 4,298