Macclesfield 1, Harriers 1

STEVE Burr felt Harriers were unlucky not to earn all three points on a frustrating Tuesday night in the Skrill Premier.

The Aggborough side had been leading 1-0 thanks to Callum Gittings’ second goal in as many games, only to be pegged back by Paul Turnbull’s 92nd minute leveller.

However, the Kidderminster boss, who is idolised at the Silkmen for his goal-scoring exploits, was frustrated when an effort from livewire Joe Lolley was ruled out for a foul.

“I could not fault the effort of the players, they gave everything and we came very close to getting a fantastic result at Macclesfield,” said Burr.

“Their goal came through a crowded box and it could have gone anywhere.

“There were a few incidents that both sides weren’t happy with but I thought Joe Lolley had scored a perfectly good goal.”

Burr named an unchanged side for the game on the back of the thumping FA Cup success over Sutton United just days previous, with Mickey Demetriou the only change on the bench.

Gittings came close to opening the scoring early on but his effort was parried by keeper Rhys Taylor.

Macclesfield hit back with efforts from Scott Boden and Danny Rowe flying wide.

Good defensive blocks from Chey Dunkley and Josh Gowling kept Macclesfield at bay.

But it was the Silkmen who kept charging forward, and just past the midway point of the first half they almost netted though Peter Winn’s shot cannoned off Lewis’ post and away.

On 27 minutes Harries, arguably against the run of play, took the lead as some quick feet from the in-form Gittings saw him deceive Andy Halls and jink into the area before beating Taylor from 10 yards.

There was then a moment of controversy three minutes later after a seemingly sound effort from Lolley which found the back of the net was disallowed by the referee's assistant.

Lewis then showed good hands to deny Connor Jennings as John Askey’s pushed men for an equaliser.

The ever-threatening Lolley then had another chance as he kept the ball well before dispatching an effort that rolled just wide of Taylor.

Macclesfield winger Winn fired over the bar, while the every dangerous Lolley also swept chance the wrong side of the post.

Around the hour Kyle Storer drew a save from Taylor, after which the Reds lost Gittings through injury as he was replaced by Anthony Malbon.

Danny Jackman was next to test Taylor as Harries remained a threat on the counter, he raced inside unchallenged and unleashed an effort that looked destined for the back of the net but for the custodian's strong parry.

Macclesfield piled on the pressure and it finally told during injury-time when Turnbull turned the ball home from close-range to secure the Silkmen a share of the spoils.

It was a frustrating night as Luton’s 2-1 win over Braintree saw the Hatters leap above the Kidderminster, who slipped to third in the table.

Macclesfield: Taylor, Andrew, Williams, Martin, Halls, Winn (Gnahoua 80), Turnbull, Whitaker, Rowe (Holroyd 69), Jennings (Connor 90), Bowden. Subs not used: Branagan, Kay.

Harries: Lewis, Vaughan, Gowling, Dunkley, Jackman, Storer, Fowler, Lolley (Demetriou 82), Gittings (Malbon 61), Morgan-Smith (Dance 68), Gash. Subs not used: N Vaughan, Blissett.

Referee: C Kavanagh.

Attendance: 1,395