Coca Cola League 2

DANNY Swailes was hero and villain as Macclesfield Town surrendered a slender advantage in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Lincoln.

The Silkmen defender has been one of the main reasons behind Macc's surge up the table since he joined in January.

But Swailes was badly at fault when he lost Gareth McAuley at Kevin Sandwith's 11th-minute free-kick and the unmarked Imp headed home the game's only goal.

However, the former Bury centre-back made amends with a magnificent goal-saving tackle when Gary Taylor-Fletcher raced through on 23 minutes.

A second goal then would have swung the game, perhaps irretrievably, in Lincoln's favour. But, instead, Brian Horton will be confident of Macc's chances of reaching the Millennium Stadium when they entertain Lincoln in the second leg at Moss Rose on Saturday.

'We are still in with a great chance at 1-0 going to our place,' said the Macc boss after his side's battling display. 'We've already beaten them at our place and, as my old boss David Pleat used to say, 'You might as well lose 2-0 as 1-0'.'

Horton would have been even happier had Matthew Tipton's stunning left-foot strike not struck the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

But the Silkmen chief could not hide his disappointment at conceding a goal from a set play. 'One of our defenders cost us a goal because they switched off. That's what makes top professional footballers, they don't make mistakes at key moments.'

Macc were nearly handed a dream start when the Ben Futcher sliced Danny Whitaker's fifth-minute cross towards his own goal, but Imp goalkeeper Alan Marriott produced an exceptional save.

McAuley put the home side in front, his first goal since October. Swailes nearly atoned immediately but his header was scrambled away from Paul Harsley's corner.

Whitaker fizzed a shot into the side netting as Macc searched for an equaliser before the break. The visitors switched to a flat back four for the start of second half as they attempted to make inroads against a muscular Imps side.

But they had keeper Alan Fettis to thank for Lincoln not increasing their lead when he did brilliantly to palm away an effort from the lively Derek Asamoah. How crucial that save proves to be will only be revealed at 1.50pm on Saturday.

LINCOLN CITY: Marriott, McCombe, Morgan, Futcher, McAuley, Butcher, Gain, Sandwith, Asamoah, Taylor-Fletcher, Yeo. Subs (not used): Beevers, Bloomer, Hanlon, Frecklington, Ryan.

MACCLESFIELD TOWN: Fettis, Bailey, Swailes, Barras, Morley, Harsley, Carragher, Whitaker (Townson 79), McIntyre, Parkin, Tipton. Subs (not used): Wilson, Miles, MacKenzie, Briscoe. Booked: Parkin. Star man: Tony Barras.

Referee: G. Laws.

Attendance: 7,032.

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