Macclesfield 2 - 0 Blackpool

Simon Grayson decided to play pretty much a first choice eleven. The only changes from the weekend match were Gilks for Rachubka, Martin for Camera and Aluko for Jorgensen. Aluko played upfront with Ben Burgess with Hammill moving to the left wing.

Pool start the lively and could have had at least 4 goals in the first half against the Silkmen who had been resoundingly beaten at the weekend by Shrewsbury 4-0.

Ben Burgess though he opened his account for the season when he prodded in a Hammill freekick. The big man`s celebrations were halted as the linesman raised his flag for offside. Next was Ian Evatt`s turn to be disappointed, his header was cleared off the line at the far post.

It looked like the Seasiders would be peppering Johnny`s Brains goal all night but the home side took the lead. A flick on in the box found Shaun Brisley free at the far post to slide the ball under the on rushing Gilks.

The goal from the home side didn`t break the pattern of missed chances, Edwards hit the underside of the bar, Aluko put a free header from all of 8 yards wide, Burgess headed over and to round it off Gary Taylor-Fletcher usually a good header of the ball from the far post headed over.

Pool had literally done everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

Keith Southern then had an eventful start to the second half, he was unable to convert a well worked passing move from the middle of the box and then was given his marching orders moments later. Just after a free kick had been given to Macclesfield Southern and Terry Dunfield clashed with their heads and both were brandished the red card. A red for violent conduct means a three match ban - both players not using their heads in the correct manner.

Worst was to come, the free kick was floating in, headed back from the far post ( a shout for a foul on Martin) and nodded in by Martin Gritton.

Subs came on, David Vaughan replace Coid to change to a 3-3-3 formation. Stuart Green and Zesh Rehman were introduced on later, Rehman did well as a makeshift striker showing some nice touches for a centre back.

Not many of the chances in the second half were clear cut compared to those of the first half. Gilks palmed a shot from Izak Reid wide to save further embarrassment.



o another defeat and another game without hitting the back of the net. It could have be a tonking if Burgess's goal had stood early on in the first half but from that point it looked like Pool were never going to hit the back of the net.

It`s priority now that either Nardiello or McPhee are fit for Saturday or someone comes in to occupy the spare number 9 shirt.

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