There is a distinct sense of déjà vu as I write this week - two more games, two more draws for the Silkmen. Even their manner bears a stark resemblance, grinding out a point on the road before being forced to come from behind against a relegation rival.

The Bristol game was undoubtedly a poor spectacle, especially brutal on the senses in the first half. A pitch littered with sand dunes was never going to be conducive to sexy football and Macclesfield were not exactly going all out for the victory. While Rovers fans bemoaned their team’s inability to break down the worst team they’d seen since time began, the Silkmen returned north with the point they came for.

It involved battling defensive work and plenty of ugly clearances down the field but it got the job done. Three draws is a reasonable unbeaten run, certainly more palatable than the eight defeats preceding it, but if it was ended by a defeat it would simply become swallowed as part of the long win-less streak.

After fifteen seconds on Tuesday it looked as if this could be the case and half time saw Macc deeper in the mire. Persisting with a single out-and-out striker we looked limited in attack and the lack of pace in defence was being dangerously exposed. Futcher, so adept for the task at Bristol, was chief amongst those struggling and was sacrificed in a tactical switch at the break.

Mukendi would not have been many people’s first choice for a half-time introduction, but he actually produced his most effective performance of the season. His presence alongside Donnelly caused the Hereford defenders numerous problems and allowed the Silkmen to apply the pressure that allowed them to pull level. In defence Daniel and Connolly’s shifts to full-back served as a remedy. Daniel even won over some of his detractors thanks to a strong showing on the left while the determined and versatile loanee from Bolton continued to impress.

Since arriving last month Mark Connolly has shown no sign of any pretentious Premier League attitude, taking to the challenge of lower league football like a duck to water. With the young defender relishing playing competitive football, aiding his development, you do wonder why these deals are not more frequent – especially given the proliferation of local top-flight sides.

Macclesfield will need everyone to be as committed in the coming weeks. Taking a point when all seemed lost somewhat masks the fact that we continue to be starved of much needed victories. Yes it was vital to deny a team beneath us the win and we moved up a place, but obvious opportunities to stride towards the magical fifty point mark are running out as other strugglers continue to prove capable of picking up wins.

Few games remain this season where you would currently make Macclesfield favourites. Returning players to fitness will be crucial, as will the fortunes of future opponents - teams whose fates have been decided will (in theory) be more attractive propositions. Sadly this will not be evident on Saturday when Crawley visit the Moss.

Simmo will no doubt be tempted to close up, attempting to stifle the promotion chasers’ threat. Yet with expectations low he could do a lot worse than repeat Tuesday’s second half formation. An attacking line up would quell some of his critics and with much to gain it seems worth a gamble. Crawley are not relegation rivals so there is no concern of them gaining ground should we be caught out - and if we could snatch an unlikely victory it would be a massive boost.

The season remains finely poised and a haul of three points is needed sooner rather than later if we are to avoid tipping the balance in the direction of catastrophe.

By Macclesfield Town blogger Alastair Pattrick 

[ad_pod id='writer-2' align='right']