Seemingly down and out, trailing two-one, after being second best to a Macclesfield side who were destined to find themselves the victims of a daylight robbery.

When Craig McAughtrie’s ninetieth minute equaliser appeared to have given the Cumbrians an undeserved point you sensed the increased atmosphere generated may just provide the improbable. Three minutes later the improbable became reality as Richie Foran’s penalty crashed into the back of the net to leave the Silkmen wondering what had hit them.

Manager Roddy Collins could hardly believe what he had seen and said after the game: “It was a scrappy game. In the first half we were outfought in the middle of the park and the pressure started to tell on the younger players. Unfortunately we are in a position where we have to play them.

“But I was delighted for them in the second half because they rolled their sleeves up and battled. I said at half time that they had lost the first half and it was up to them to go and get something out of the second half and play for their futures. All I wanted was that they win the second half and retrieve a little pride, but to go on and win the game was unbelievable. The kids were just great.”

After a poor opening to the game Macclesfield took the lead on 19 minutes when Richie Lambert’s free kick was only partially cleared by Lee Andrews with Darren Tinson smashing the loose ball past Peter Keen.

As the Silkmen kept up the pressure Tony Hopper cleared off the line from Chris Byrne, who was then unlucky to see another goalbound effort blocked by Andrews.

Macclesfield’s second came on 39 minutes when Michael Jack gave the ball away 25 yards out, allowing Danny Whitaker time to thunder an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

But the Cumbrians got the best possible start to the second half with Foran pulling a goal back from the penalty spot after Paul O’Neill had fouled McAughtrie.

Macclesfield should have restored their two goal advantage after 55 minutes but Tipton pulled his penalty the wrong side of the post after Andrews had fouled Lambert.

With time running out Foran won a header in the box and when Halliday helped the ball on McAughtrie was on hand to force the ball home.

But the Cumbrians were not finished and three minutes into injury time Macclesfield keeper Steve Wilson impeded Foran’s run for a loose ball with referee Paul Rejer awarding a hotly disputed penalty.

Foran was in no mood to let anyone take the penalty but himself and duly despatched the winner into the bottom corner for his sixteenth goal of the season.

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