Harriers set about forcing an equaliser and came close just three minutes into the second half.

Flynn played Shilton into space in the area and the wing-back's first time shot forced a good save from keeper Wilson.

The first booking of the game arrived on 50 minutes with goalscorer Welch cautioned for a foul on Melligan.

Harriers spurned a good chance on 51 minutes when Foster escaped onto an Ayres long ball, touched it past stranded keeper Wilson but miscued wildly into the crowd from an acute angle.

Hardy, the young Macclesfield midfielder, was yellow carded for a late tackle on Shilton on 58 minutes.

The home side were hit on the breakaway on the hour when Coleman gave the ball away to Adams who released striker Tipton.

But the forward's rising effort from the right-hand edge of the area was tipped over comfortably by the well positioned Brock.

Macclesfield then replaced Hardy with Abbey.

A terrible error by keeper Brock gifted Tipton a chance on 63 minutes but his weak strike flew straight back to the grateful goalkeeper who had played the ball straight into his path.