Both sides missed chances as Darlington fell to another defeat. Macclesfield failed to make the most of their first half openings before Quakers did the same in the second half. Curtis Main, Kevin Gall and skipper Steve Foster all had chances to pull Darlington level after the break but Macclesfield, despite missing a last gasp chance to double their advantage, managed to hold out for a first away win of the campaign.

Caretaker manager Craig Liddle called Lee Thorpe back into the squad after the forward recovered from injury. Meanwhile Danny Groves held onto his place in the starting eleven as Main dropped to the bench. Macclesfield included former Darlington loan player Carl Tremarco in their side. The former Wrexham player enjoyed a brief spell in the North East last season with Quakers.

It was the visitors who made much of the running before the break. Early on Paul Bolland saw a shot blocked by Foster. Darlington's main outlet in the opening forty-five minutes was loan player Jamie Devitt. The winger tired in the second half as expected, but during the first half caused Macclesfield more than a few headaches with his running.

A poor pass by Emile Sinclair allowed Darlington to break up field after seven minutes. The move ended when Dan Groves, who enjoyed an excellent game, fired the ball over the crossbar. The youngster was one of the highlights of the game for Quakers.

Macclesfield though got their noses in front after quarter of an hour. Colin Daniel's cross from the left was turned home by Jeff Smith for an own goal. Darlington responded through Groves on twenty-three minutes. A cross into the near post from Devitt was seized upon by Groves but it turned out to be an easy stop for keeper John Brain. Ben Wright put a header wide for the visitors and on the half hour Macclesfield missed another good chance to double their lead. Daniel was again the supplier but Silkmen skipper Nat Brown headed wide of the mark.

Minutes later Groves did the same at the other end. Good skill from Devitt allowed him to cross the ball into the box. It seemed to catch the keeper out and, perhaps, Groves as well as he headed down into the side netting. James Bennett and Foster both had efforts just before the break as Darlington trailed with a disappointing performance.

Before the second period started Thorpe was replaced by Main. The striker gave his all as Darlington stepped up a gear. Unfortunately it was the same old problem as Quakers continued to miss chances in front of goal. Main didn't have to wait long for his first chance. Six minutes into the second half Devitt got past his man before pulling the ball back for the youngster to fire over.

A few minutes later a Jeff Smith cross was flicked wide before Main got into the box only to see his near post effort gathered. On seventy minutes Kevin Gall was released down the right by Main but his ball across the face of goal was not capitalised upon by anyone. Three minutes later a set-piece was flicked on by Ian Miller for Main to hit the upright with a good header. It was a a good chance to pull level for Darlington but few could be critical of the youngster who gave his all.

Foster fizzed a shot wide of the foot of the post late on as Darlington piled bodies forward in search of a leveller. They were nearly punished for it as a long clearance from Macclesfield caught out Hoult who was well off his goal line. Reneil Sappleton managed to gather the ball up but hit the base of the post with a low shot. Another goal at that point would have made little difference.

Quakers improved upon a poor first half showing but were guilty, once again, of missing chances.