A number of injuries meant that Jim Gannon was forced to shuffle his pack. Michael Bowler came in to replace the injured Keith Briggs.

Anthony Pilkington came back into the fray having recovered from an ankle injury ahead of schedule to come into replace Adam Griffin.

Paul Turnbull was given his first start of the season alongside Jason Taylor in central midfield and Liam Dickinson replaced former Macc man, McNeil upfront.

The first real chance of the game fell to Pilkington when he got on the end of a Dickinson touch, but his effort went into the side netting.

Dickinson was again the provider when he fed the ball to Leslie Thompson, whose rasping shot was well blocked.

The popular number twenty was again the provider when he found Elding in space, the former Boston man brought the ball down the left flank and crossed to Dickinson who got too much on the header and it flashed wide

Moments later Thompson went close as County turned the screw; his neat volley went narrowly wide.

The Hatters thought they had taken the lead when Thompson got on the end of a glorious Pilkington cross, but the keeper made a good save.

Every chance County created seemed to have one man involved - Dickinson. After 20 minutes he latched onto Conrad Logan's long clearance minute but lobbed the ball wide.

Francis Green had the best chance for Macc when he beat keeper Logan, but his shot hit the post and bounced to safety.

Thompson went close again when his side-foot volley dipped just over the bar.

Former Hatter Jordan Hadfield was not far away with a 20-yard drive soon after the break as Macc enjoyed their best spell of the game.

A slip from Pilkington in his own box gave Simon Wiles a chance that Logan did well to save with his legs.

Then a rare slip from Ashley Williams let Gareth Evans in on goal but he delayed his shot too long and the chance had gone.

County responded in the best possible way. Paul Tierney cut in from the left, played a delightful one-two with Thompson and raced into the box to beat Jonny Brain at the second attempt after the former Port Vale 'keeper made a good save from his initial shot.

The travelling hordes celebrated in some style with the on-loan Blackpool defender.

The joy should have been cut short within a minute, though. Wiles crossed from the right but the unmarked Martin Gritton headed over.

The Silkmen were throwing caution to the wind pressing for an equaliser but left space at the back.

Pilkington came close with a curling free kick and Adam Proudlock brought a flying save from Brain as the hatters looked to kill the game off on the break.

And they almost paid for their missed chances when Gritton broke clear deep into stoppage time but Logan was quickly off his line to smother the chance.