Macclesfield Town vs Bury - Reported by Hannah Ingram at the Moss Rose

After an emotional start to proceedings at the Moss Rose, Bury were poised to start one of their most difficult matches of the season. In the first home match for the Silkmen since the tragic passing of manager Keith Alexander, Bury were still looking for those elusive three points after four consecutive frustrating draws. The Shakers were also nervous in front of goal as the pressure mounted for a goal in open play; their last one coming in the home fixture against Macclesfield in early February.

Both sides drew one all in their respective midweek games, and Bur y boss Alan Knill made two changes to his starting XI; Efe Sodje came back into the Shakers backline in place of Ryan Cresswell, whilst the ever hard-working Stephen Dawson was replaced by Richie Baker in midfield.

The first notable attack for Bury fell on 8 minutes and a through ball from Tom Newey. Causing panic in the Macclesfield box, the loose ball had to be headed away by Shaun Brisley just wide of the left post.

Substitution for Macclesfield on 9 minutes - Craig Lindfield on for Colin Daniel

Macclesfield's best early chance fell to substitute Lindfield on 12 minutes as a loose ball in the Bury box was powered forward and just wide of the left upright. Moments later and a powerful strike from Lee Bell was blocked by the feet of Buchanan.

Yellow card for Bury on 26 minutes - Ben Futcher

GOAL! The home side took the lead on 29 minutes after an impressive run down the left wing from Emile Sinclair saw him provide a dangerous cross along the ground. Landing at the feet of Ben Wright, he had the simple task of rolling the ball into the bottom corner from close range.

Silkmen 1 Shakers 0

Following a foul on Michael Jones on 43 minutes, Bury were awarded a free kick ten yards outside the box. Taken by Jones, it hit the left post and came back out to Andy Bishop, who passed the ball back across the goal for Ryan Lowe at the far post. He brought it down well and tried to finish from close range before Brisley cleared the ball for a corner.

Red card for Bury on 44 minutes - Ryan Lowe

Two minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury fans and players alike were bemused as to why their top-scorer had been given his marching orders. Time was soon called as the referee left the field to a chorus of boos from the away fans. It became clear that an already tough match had been made that much harder.   Alan Knill later confirmed that the red card was for an elbow on Macclesfield's Sean Hessey - Lowe will now miss three games (tbc)

Half Time - Silkmen 1 Shakers 0

16.00

Bury shot of the traps straight from kick off and had a good chance to bring the score level on 48 minutes. A long ball forward from Baker to Jones on the right wing gave him space to send in a dangerous cross to the near post. Macclesfield keeper Jon Brain got down well to block the ball but couldn't keep hold, letting it spill to the feet of Bishop in front of goal. His shot was again blocked and the Silkmen cleared up the field.

Ben Wright wasted a good chance on goal for the Silkmen on 56 minutes after Sinclair broke free down the right wing and passed the ball back for him. Brown got down well to gather Wright's low drive.

GOAL! Macclesfield doubled their lead moments later after Brown's punched clearance from a corner fell to the feet of Craig Liindfield who put the ball in the back of the net from close range and amongst a crowded penalty area.

Silkmen 2 Shakers 0

Yellow card for Bury on 57 minutes - Richie Baker

Yellow card for Bury on 59 minutes - Efe Sodje

Substitution for Bury on 61 minutes - Tom Elliot on for Andy Bishop

Following a period of pressure from the Shakers on 71 minutes which included a dangerous cross from Jones which was missed by Elliot in front of goal, Jones then sent in a looping ball from the left which found the head of Elliot in front of goal once more, but his effort forced a good save from Brain to put the ball over the bar.

Substitution for Bury on 72 minutes - Danny Racchi on for Tom Newey

Substitution for Bury on 79 minutes - Andy Morrell on for Michael Jones

Buchanan took a shot straight at the keeper on 81 minutes after the ball had been passed along the top of the Macclesfield box.

Yellow card for Macclesfield on 86 minutes - John Rooney

Substitution for Macclesfield on 87 minutes - Matthew Lowe on for Emile Sinclair

A nippy cross from Buchanan on the left wing on 88 minutes was destined for the head of Elliot in front of goal but he headed wide of the right post.

Three minutes of added time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury were still searching in vain for a goal.

Time was soon called on a poor result for Bury. The expectation before the match was for a tough match against a side with only one win to their name for 2010, but a side determined to make Keith Alexander proud. Add a red card and a star player missing into the mix, and Bury went home empty-handed.

Macclesfield simply did what they needed to do; come out and perform. Bury wasted chances yet again and miraculously stayed third place in the table.

Full Time - Silkmen 2 Shakers 0

Attendance - 2740