Guiseley 0, Macclesfield Town 3

GUISELEY suffered a second consecutive National League home defeat as Macclesfield Town eased to a comfortable win on a damp and dismal night for the Lions.

It was treacherous underfoot at Nethermoor following a deluge ahead of kick-off and the steady rain throughout. The visitors coped better with the conditions and were on top in the early stages.

The Silkmen took a deserved lead when skipper Paul Turnbull netted a 24th-minute free-kick. The Lions were reeling at that stage and goalkeeper Steve Drench had to be aware to deny Danny Whitehead with a smart save.

Guiseley looked to be getting back into the game and they forced a couple of half-chances towards the interval.

But Macclesfield doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when a poor clearance only found Whitehead and he drilled a shot through a packed area.

Lions boss Mark Bower made changes to his forwards at the break as he brought on Wayne Brooksby and Adam Boyes for Gavin Rothery and Zac Thompson.

Yet it failed to bring the desired effect and the visitors stretched their lead just before the hour mark when Danny Whittaker netted following a breakaway.

The hosts had a great chance to get on the scoresheet when Liam Dickinson was fouled in the area late on but he stood up to take the spot-kick himself and was denied by a fine save from Macclesfield keeper Andy Halls.