Match ends, Lincoln City 1, Macclesfield Town 1.
Lincoln City's charge towards promotion was stalled as they were held to a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Macclesfield.
But the League Two leaders actually increased their advantage at the top to eight points as Bury, who began the day in second place, lost at home to Swindon.
Danny Cowley's Imps were stunned when Sol Campbell's battling side took the lead on 28 minutes after Elliott Durrell found Scott Wilson, who impressively swept the ball home.
But Bruno Andrade put the Macc defence on the back foot with a surging run forward before being tripped a couple of yards outside the box, Neal Eardley took the resulting free-kick and placed it perfectly into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1 on 38 minutes.
The Imps pinned Town back in the early stages of the second half, Eardley almost scoring again when his cross-shot was beaten away by a flying O'Hara. But the Imps were frustrated by the visitors thereafter.
Having offered virtually nothing as an attacking force in the second half, Macc almost reclaimed the lead with six minutes left when James Pearson unleashed a fierce dipping volley which was tipped over by Matt Gilks.
But it was not enough to prevent Macc slipping to the bottom, as Notts County won at Stevenage.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Lincoln City
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 18Gilks
- 23Eardley
- 24Bolger
- 16Bostwick
- 14ToffoloBooked at 79mins
- 26AndersonSubstituted forMcCartanat 70'minutes
- 7Pett
- 6O'HaraSubstituted forO'Connorat 71'minutes
- 11Carvalho Andrade
- 19RoweSubstituted forRheadat 85'minutes
- 29Akinde
Substitutes
- 1Vickers
- 4O'Connor
- 8Frecklington
- 9Rhead
- 15Wilson
- 17McCartan
- 25Roberts
Macclesfield
Formation 3-5-2
- 1O'Hara
- 33Jules
- 27CameronBooked at 80mins
- 5Kelleher
- 19Pearson
- 7Durrell
- 24Rose
- 30ColeSubstituted forWhitakerat 68'minutes
- 3Fitzpatrick
- 9WilsonSubstituted forMarshat 73'minutes
- 15StephensSubstituted forNtambweat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Marsh
- 14Welch-Hayes
- 23Whitaker
- 28Idem
- 32Demetriou
- 38Ntambwe
- 39Martis
- Referee:
- Brett Huxtable
- Attendance:
- 9,567
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Lincoln City 1, Macclesfield Town 1.
Post update
Michael O'Connor (Lincoln City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Elliott Durrell (Macclesfield Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Macclesfield Town. Brice Ntambwe replaces Ben Stephens.
Post update
Attempt missed. Shay McCartan (Lincoln City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Lincoln City. Matt Rhead replaces Danny Rowe.
Post update
Corner, Macclesfield Town. Conceded by Matthew Gilks.
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Attempt saved. James Pearson (Macclesfield Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Harry Toffolo (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Cameron (Macclesfield Town).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Ben Stephens (Macclesfield Town) because of an injury.
Booking
Nathan Cameron (Macclesfield Town) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Harry Toffolo (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bruno Andrade (Lincoln City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Shay McCartan (Lincoln City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Danny Whitaker (Macclesfield Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Macclesfield Town. Tyrone Marsh replaces Scott Wilson.
Post update
Tom Pett (Lincoln City) wins a free kick on the right wing.