COUNTY knocked the Football Leagueés bottom side out of the Johnstoneés Paints Trophy at the Moss Rose last night.

Although it was just a single-goal victory for the visitors, the margin ought to have been more as County wasted a clutch of decent chances, especially in the second half.

County started promisingly and Greg Tansey almost marked his full debut with a goal just six minutes in, only for Macc goalkeeper Jon Brain to tip the youngsterés 25-yard free-kick round the post.

At the other end James Spencer saved well from Jordan Hadfield and Colin Heath headed just over, but Michael Malcolm fluffed a great opportunity for County in first-half stoppage time.

He latched onto a poor Heath back-pass and rounded Brain, but somehow couldnét find the target.

However, 20 minutes after the restart Malcolm atoned for his earlier error with a sublime goal. Michael Rose - in his first game back since breaking a toe - crossed for Malcolm, who dived full length before glancing home a well-directed header.

Liam Dickinson and Malcolm should have doubled the Hattersé lead late on.

COUNTY: Spencer, Clare, Dinning, Owen, Briggs, Robinson, Tansey, Allen (Poole, 45), Taylor (Rose, 45), Malcolm (Ellis, 85), Dickinson. Subs not used: Tunnicliffe, Deasy.

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