MACCLESFIELD caretaker boss John Askey tightened his grip on the vacant top job as his side produced their best display of the season.

After Colin Little had crashed a volley against the cross bar in the fourth minute they eventually took the lead on 20 minutes when a Martin Carruthers drive from the edge of the box deflected over Paul Bastock.

The turning point came in the 61st minute when Pilgrim skipper Paul Ellender saw a powerful header cleared off the line only for the ball to fly to the other end where Carruthers bagged his seventh of the season with a far post header.

Steve Wilson produced a stuning save to deny Darrell Sutch from 20 yards leaving the stage set for Little to cap a great display.

It was unlucky for Carruthers however, his shot being palmed on the cross bar to deny his hat trick but allowing Little to crash home from close range.

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