Coca Cola League 2
A 77th MINUTE equaliser from Adam Proudlock rescued a point for County in Saturdayés big Cheshire derby in front of Edgeley Parkés biggest crowd of the season so far.
However, it wasnét a game for the faint-hearted as gutsy Macclesfield saw three of their players stretchered off, with all of them suffering season-ending injuries.
The rejuvenated Silkmen, who are looking more and more capable of pulling off a great escape under new boss Paul Ince, deserved a share of the spoils, but the three stunning injury blows were cruel to say the very least.
Loan winger Simon Wiles suffered a second devastating career cruciate ligament injury just beyond the half-hour mark, while amazingly goalkeeper Jonny Brain and defender Andrew Teague clattered into one another in the lead-up to Proudlockés late equaliser, and both were stretchered straight into a waiting ambulance at the back of the Cheadle End.
Brain suffered a compound fracture of the leg, while Teagueés injury was later diagnosed as a clean break of the lower leg.
A bumper crowd of 6,575 roared both teams on as County were aiming to extend their fine recent unbeaten run, while Macc were chasing their first League win of the season after the midweek FA Cup success at Walsall.
Hatters boss Jim Gannon gave new loan capture Keith Treacy a debut on the left wing, while young centre-back James Tunnicliffe made his first full start, partnering skipper-for-the-day Ashley Williams at the heart of the defence.
Macc pretty much bossed the first half though. Alan Navarro and Wiles both brought fine saves out of the soon-to-be-departed John Ruddy, while in the 25th minute Jim McNulty glanced a header onto the County crossbar direct from Navarroés corner-kick.
Proudlock blasted a shot into the side-netting and Treacy saw a chip well gathered by Brain, but the visitors were given their invitation to take the lead three minutes before the break.
Martin Bullockés fierce shot struck Williams on the arm, and referee Mr Atkinson pointed to the spot. Kevin McIntyre made no mistake and the Silkmen went in at the break with the advantage.
County hit back in the second half though, and Proudlock three times went close either side of the hour mark.
Substitute John Murphy planted a free header wide for Macc on 67 minutes, and that miss was punished when County deservedly levelled ten minutes later.
Tes Bramble slid a ball through to Proudlock, and as Brain and Teague sickeningly crashed into one another, the ball somehow squirmed free to the former Sheffield Wednesday front-man, who only needed to guide a shot into the empty net.
Sub Michael Malcolm, Treacy and Williams all had late chances to win it for County, but I suppose Macclesfield had had enough rotten luck and a draw was just about a fair outcome.
- COUNTY: Ruddy, Kane, Williams, Tunnicliffe (Le Fondre, 85), Griffin, Taylor, Poole (Malcolm, 57), Treacy, Gleeson, Bramble, Proudlock. Subs not used: Spencer, Rose, Briggs. Booked: Williams. Star Man: Tes Bramble.
- MACCLESFIELD TOWN: Brain (Begovic, 80), Regan, Swailes, Bullock, Wiles (Murphy, 31), Teague (Scott, 80), Navarro, Hadfield, McIntyre, McNeil, McNulty. Subs not used: Heath, Tolley. Booked: Hadfield, Scott.
Attendance: 6,575.
Referee: Mr M Atkinson.