Coca-Cola League Two

THE curse of the Manager of the Month award struck again as Macclesfield's eight-game unbeaten run came to an end against an impressive Northampton side.

Brian Horton collected the prize after the Silkmen won all four games in February - part of a club record six straight victories.

However, a wretched first-half display at Sixfields Stadium enabled Danny Crow to grab a second-minute winner for promotion-rivals Northampton.

Macc did have the ball in the back of the net on 37 minutes when Matty Tipton, back from suspension, crashed home Jon Parkin's flick-on from close range.

But the assistant referee had his flag up for offside. That decision, at best, appeared marginal as the Silkmen skipper seemed to run across the front of the Cobblers defender.

Horton certainly felt it was a goal. He said: 'Our two substitutes were level with it and said it was never offside.

'The linesman said 'Your substitutes are bound to say that'. Then again, he would say that wouldn't he.'

But the Macc boss could have no complaints that his side trailed at half-time. Northampton, with several key players missing through injury, were easily the better side.

But Horton was disappointed with the manner in which the Cheshire club conceded the goal after just two minutes.

A Tommy Jaszczun pass caught former Cobbler Paul Harsley napping down the right, and Martin Smith's cross picked out an unmarked Crow, on loan from Norwich, to head home.

It could have been worse three minutes later when Alan Fettis's charged-down clearance hit the side-netting.

Charley Hearn also saw his shot strike a post.

Parkin then created a chance for himself. The 23-goal hitman ran on to Harsley's long ball before turning Chris Wilmott, but his shot lacked the conviction to trouble Lee Harper.

Horton rang the changes at the break. Danny Whitaker and debutant Mark Boyd replaced the ineffectual John Miles and Neil MacKenzie as the Silkmen looked to gain a foothold in midfield.

The double substitution nearly paid immediate dividends when Whitaker sent Parkin clear, but he fired inches wide on 49 minutes.

Harper then denied both Parkin and Tipton, though Danny Swailes was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line on the hour mark. Smith had a wonderful chance to make the game safe when he was clean through in the 73rd minute, but Fettis did brilliantly to deflect his shot over the bar.

Macc sent on Mike Sheron in a last throw off the dice, but the Cobblers held on to take a valuable three points.

• MACCLESFIELD: Fettis, Potter, Carragher, Harsley, Parkin, Tipton, Miles (Boyd, 45), MacKenzie (Whitaker, 45), Morley, McIntyre (Sheron, 81), Swailes. Subs not used: Wilson, Welch.

• NORTHAMPTON: Harper, Jaszczun (Carruthers, 67), Wilmott, Murray, Rowson, Crow (Galbraith, 67), Hearn, Smith, Bojic, Barnard, Williamson (Amoo, 89). Subs not used: Bunn, Hicks.

Ref: Kevin Wright.

Att: 5,804.

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