MACCLESFIELD FC 1, ASHTON UNITED 0
A debut goal from substitute D’Mani Mellor just after the hour saw Macclesfield FC, now managed by Robbie Savage, to a deserved victory against Ashton United at the Leasing.com stadium.
Mellor, (23), the former Manchester United youngster who has EFL experience with Salford, Rochdale, Wycombe and Sutton United, struck the only goal of the game midway through the second half to break the Robins’ resistance.
After being unbeaten in their opening six games in Northern Premier League, Premier, the Robins have now suffered back-to-back league losses to slip to sixth spot.
Tom Denton started up front for Ashton with Benny Couto dropping to the bench and a chilly evening saw Nathan Lowe send a speculative left-foot effort wildly off target on the artificial surface.
One minute later, Jordan Eastham had to be alert to block Tre Pemberton’s run into the area and centre forward Danny Elliott made no contact on a fine overlapping cross from left back Brandon Lee. Laurent Mendy was making some dangerous runs from defence for the Silkmen and his latest venture led to John Rooney placing his effort wide as Luke Duffy’s cross rebounded to him.
Midway through the half, Dan Cowan headed away Johnson’s curling effort from the far post and Alex Curran dragged his shot wide after Rooney’s attempt from a corner was blocked.
In added time, Duffy won a corner from Sam Baird and when Denton missed the second delivery Duffy was on hand to bring a fine point-blank save out of Eastham.
Five minutes into the second period, Lowe’s shot deflected away off Sam Heathcote following Jason Gilchrist’s delivery and Lee’s latest cross was helped narrowly past the near post by Mellor in the closest attempt yet.
Shortly afterwards, a terrific scramble in the area involving Mellor saw fellow substitute Neil Kengni’s clever overhead tipped over but a minute later the breakthrough arrived as Pemberton’s cross from the by-line was finished at the second attempt by Mellor past the unfortunate Eastham.
With 16 minutes left, Rooney brought another fine reaction save out of the Ashton keeper and a quick break saw Mellor put Kengni clear in the area with Cowan making a vital tackle to recover the ball.
A last chance arrived for the Robins to rescue a draw as a miscue saw Darius Osei cut on to his left foot before firing straight at keeper Max Dearnley and Mellor shot well wide in added time after Baird had appeared to be fouled in the build-up.
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan, Doherty, Newton, Burke, Baird, Lowe (Bjork 76), Hardy (McCourt 46), Gilchrist (Couto 59), Osei, Denton (Bryan 59). Sub (unused): O’Keefe.
Attendance: 2,659.
Report: David Robinson.