MACC were left heartbroken after a 93rd minute strike from Glenn Poole dealt a severe blow to their chances of survival.

Keith Alexander's men had mounted a staunch rearguard defence and looked to have secured a valuable point. But with just 40 seconds of injury time remaining, Alan Connell burst down the right before delivering a deep cross for Poole to force home at the far post.

It was a cruel blow and with Bury beating Morecambe it now looks certain that two will go down out of Macc, Wrexham and Mansfield. Alexander will be desperately searching for a potent attacking combination as they failed to create a clear-cut chance in the entire match.

And without the heroics of 'keeper Jon Brain, Macc would have been analysing a heavy defeat. After a quiet opening Brain made his first stunning save on 42 minutes. Craig Pead's cross was met by Nathan Elder but Brain reacted brilliantly to push his header onto the post. Then on 45 minutes, Connell's fierce close-range strike was brilliantly parried by Brain.

It was backs to the wall again after the break and the pressure began to tell in the final 10 minutes. On 81 minutes, Gary Smith's corner was met by Karleigh Osborne but Brain pushed his header onto the bar. Then moments later Brain beat away Connell's 10 yard strike.

But with seconds remaining Brain was finally beaten by the cruellest blow. Macc will be desperate for a victory at Dagenham on Tuesday but unless Alexander's men find a way of creating chances, never mind finishing them off, they will certainly struggle.

Dave Lafferty