BOSS ADAM STILL CAN’T UNLOCK THE LIONS DOOR

TWO first-half goals ensured Macclesfield Town left Yorkshire with all three points.

The result means Guiseley remain winless after 12 games and are bottom of the table, while Town remain ninth, but are moving closer to a place in the play-offs.

Guiseley’s new permanent manager Adam Lockwood said: “This defeat hurts. We know we have to get points and wins soon if we are to stay up, so things need to change and I’ve made sure that they know that is the case.

“We have got a lot of work to do here, on another day though WebbFoster’s goal stands and we leave with a point and that would have been something.”

Meanwhile Macclesfield Town manager John Askey was disappointed with aspects of their performance: “It’s a win but in the second half we needed to improve.

“I’m pleased with how the season has gone and we maintain the aim of getting into the play-offs. We hope we can just keep going and picking up the points.”

In the opening match for Lockwood since being named boss with former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney as his assistant, this was a tense start with neither side able to cause any problems in the opening stages.

Macclesfield, who will be pleased with how their season has started, looked the more composed and took the lead with their first chance of the game – Chris Holroyd lifting the ball over an on-rushing Jonny Maxted. Town grabbed a second through former Guiseley midfielder Ollie Norburn, who from six yards made no mistake with a simple finish. Guiseley were soon back in the match though when a good passing move found Jordan Preston, who fired home from 20 yards out. And then Alex Purver nearly produced a moment of magic when he produced a powerful run, beat three Town players only to denied by Scott Flinders. Norburn almost added a third straight after halftime, his powerful effort from just inside the area was clawed away by Maxted. The Silkmen were happy to keep possession while looking dangerous with Danny Whitaker delivering dangerous setpieces although they did not produce any significant chances. Guiseley then thought they had levelled when a Nicky Clee cross was headed in by Reece Webb-Foster, but it was disallowed due to him being in an offside position. The home side tried to break down the Town defence late on, but Macclesfield were professional and able to see the game through to gain another three points.