A dream start for Macclesfield which saw the visitors two goals up inside seven minutes was undone as Barnet fought back to grab a last gasp point at a cold and wet Underhill with Jimmy McNulty & Levi Reid both on the scoresheet before Barnet replied with two headed goals.

Levi Reid - scorer of the 2nd goal, his first in Silkmen colours

The lashing rain & swirling wind were always going to make conditions difficult, but add to the mix an open ended ground further exposed to the elements along with a hugely slopped pitch and the game was all set up!

Prior to last week's defeat to Shrewsbury, Macclesfield had been on a decent run of late having been undefeated in their previous three. Barnet on the other hand came into this game on the back of consecutive 3-0 defeats and not having won a home game since the start of October.

Ian Brightwell kept faith in Jonny Brain who retained his place between the sticks, but brought Terry Dunfield & Luke Dimech into the team in place of Jamie Tolley & the suspended Kevin McIntyre.The only other change saw Martin Gritton replace Gareth Evans in attack.

Barnet made two changes - Guiliano Grazioli replaced Adam Birchall upfront & midfielder Michael Leary replaced Josh Wright who had returned to Charlton following a loan spell.

Things couldn't have started any better for The Silkmen. The game was only three minutes old when Francis Green was fouled on the right, giving Macc a free-kick so wide it resembled a corner. Adam Murray's deep delivery found Jimmy McNulty unmarked at the back post, who after chesting down & poking goalbound appeared to stab the ball home at the second attempt. The defender on the line failed to do enough to keep the ball out and despite Phil Doughty's appeals that he had got the final touch McNulty was credited with the goal.

The great start got even better on 7 minutes when a long ball forward reached the Barnet penalty area and as the out-rushing 'keeper slide to gather the ball he fumbled. Levi Reid latched onto the loose ball and calmly rolled it into the empty net to put the visitors 2-0 ahead. The difficult conditions were always likely to play havoc in defence, thankfully it was the Barnet defence that were suffering!

Any ideas that this was to become a Macclesfield goal-fest were soon put to bed as Barnet replied instantly with a goal from a set piece - Liam Hatch found space in the box and was able to glance Ashley Carew's corner past Jon Brain.

On 13 minutes Barnet attacked down the right and following a lame appeal for a penalty Neal Bishop fired in a low shot which was well blocked by Adam Murray.

Despite the entertainment of the early goals, the sodden pitch made it extremely difficult for either team to get the ball down and find any sort of rhythm or fluidity. The Silkmen did however consistently deliver quality set pieces which caused the Barnet defence trouble all afternoon. Adam Murray was the man taking the kicks and on 15 minutes another superb delivery should've resulted in a third goal.McNulty again who found himself unmarked at the back post but his diving header went narrowly wide.

Danny Thomas was a menace all afternoon and was giving the Barnet defence a torrid time.His tricky feet & fancy footwork often had two men snapping at his heels but he rarely conceded possession. On 22 minutes Martin Gritton was involved in a strong tackle which left him nursing a gash to his knee. He left the field for stitches but despite attempting to continue he was eventually replaced by Gareth Evans.

As half time drew closer, a clever flick from Green freed Evans who's early shot forced Harrison to tip over the bar.Little more followed in terms of goalmouth action and The Silkmen lead 2-1 at the break. The pitch was looking worse in the second half as the rain continued to fall and this caused very little flowing football, but several scrappy attempts on goal and a few clumsy tackles. Lots of freekicks were being awarded and the referee ended up showing eight yellow cards in what wasn't a dirty game.

Luke Dimech was the first in the book for dissent as he disputed a softly awarded free-kick.Francis Green was to soon follow as he instigated a scuffle involving most of the outfield players. Having been awarded a free-kick Green provoked Barnet defender Kenny Gillet into a reaction which was followed by several players from both teams pushing and shoving.

Attempts on goal were few and far between but McNulty forced Harrison into a save midway through the half when he controlled a cross from the left before turning and drilling a low shot. Danny Thomas & Carl Regan were soon to be added to the referees notebook as they were both booked in fairly innocuous incidents, which completed Macc's total of 4 cautions for the afternoon.

On 70 minutes Green had a superb opportunity to seal the points but unfortunately his effort rolled just wide of the far post.Harrison parried Thomas' long-range effort, but having reacted quickest Green was unable to find the net. Despite not being too busy throughout the game, Brain was called into action several times as the game drew to a close. On 81 minutes Hatch drove into the box but Brain got down well to prevent an equaliser. The stopper was also quick off his line on a number of occasions as he punched several crosses to safety as he bids to retain his place in the team.

As the clock ticked onto 90 minutes, the dream start was to be overshadowed by a nightmare ending. Substitute Nicky Nicolou delivered an inviting cross from the left flank and Neal Bishop arrived unchallenged in the box to head past Brain.

It was a harsh ending to a game in which Macclesfield fought extremely hard & will probably feel they did enough to come away with the three points. All in all it was a decent away point despite the disappointing timing of the equaliser.

Nick Brooks