National League
Guiseley 1-2 Macclesfield Town
New Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood
Two first-half goals for Macclesfield Town ensured they left Yorkshire with all three points after beating Guiseley.
The result means Guiseley remain winless after twelve games and are bottom of the table, while Town remain ninth but are moving closer to a place in the play-offs.
In the opening match for Lockwood since being named permanent boss and former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney who was his assistant, this was a tense start with neither side able to cause any problems in the opening stages.
Macclesfield who will be pleased with how their season has started looked the more composed and with the first chance of the game took the lead, Chris Holroyd was able to lift the ball over an on-rushing Jonny Maxted and give the away side the lead.
Town grabbed a second through former Guiseley midfielder Ollie Norburn, who from six yards made no mistake with a simple finish.
Guiseley were soon back in the match through when a good passing move found Jordan Preston who from 20 yards up saw his effort fly into the top corner.
Guiseley’s Alex Purver nearly produced a moment of magic when he produced a powerful run, he beat three Town players but was denied by Scott Flinders.
Norburn almost added a third straight after half-time, his powerful effort from just inside the area was clawed away by Maxted.
The Silkmen were happy to keep possession while looking dangerous with Danny Whitaker delivering dangerous set-pieces although they did not produce any significant chances.
Guiseley then thought they had levelled when a Nicky Clee cross was headed in by Reece Webb-Foster, but it was disallowed due to him being in an offside position.
The home side tried to break down the Town defence late on, but Macclesfield were professional and were able to see the game through and gain the crucial three points.
What They Said
Guiseley manager Adam Lockwood
“This defeat hurts. We know we have to get points and wins soon if we are to stay up, so things need to change and I’ve made sure that they know that is the case.
“We have got a lot of work to do here, on another day though Webb-Foster’s goal stands and we leave with a point and that would have been something.”
The Teams
Guiseley: Maxted, Lowe, Lawlor, Clee,(Boyes 80) Palmer, Preston, Purver, Walton (Hatfield 57), Atkinson, Webb-Foster Whitehouse (Porritt 66). Subs unused: D Atkinson and Wells
Macclesfield Town: Flinders, Halls Fitzpatrick (Hancox 23) Pilkington McCombe, Mackreth, Holroyd, Rowe (Sampson 81) James, Norbury (Lewis 73) Whitaker. Subs unused: Byrne and Ross.
The Rest
The pressure continues to mount on Jackie McNamara after York City’s winless away run was extended to 28 games after a 2-0 defeat at Barrow. North Ferriby lost 1-0 at home to Southport.
Harrogate Town are top of the National League North after a 3-1 win over Gloucester City. Captain Danny Ellis put the Town before goals from Andi Thanoj and Dominic Knowles sealed the three points.
FC Halifax Town inflicted a record tenth straight defeat on Bradford (Park Avenue) with a 4-0 demolition derby at The Shay. Alex Simmons (2), Tom Denton and Jordan Sinnott scored for Halifax.