Keith Alexander made two changes to his starting XI today at Spotland with Gareth Evans returning after his four game suspension along with fit again Paul Morgan, Francis Green and Danny Thomas reverting to the bench.

Whilst play in the first half was end to end, neither side was able to create any real chances of note. Macclesfield certainly had the majority of those there were with Simon Yeo and Gareth Evans unable to beat Sam Russell in the Dale net.

However the best fell to the home side with their only real chance of the half and it would have been an undeserved lead when Jon Brain had to dive to his right to save well from the head of Terry Dunfield when defending a free kick from out wide.

The second half could have started in dramatic fashion. From the restart Silkmen gave up easy possession which allowed Dagnall to advance on goal unchallenged and fire a shot narrowly over the bar.

Ahmed Deen then had a golden opportunity to put the Silkmen into the lead. With the goal at his mercy, the defender took slightly too long over his shot which allowed Kennedy to get his body in the way of his attempt, the ball deflecting out for a corner.

With the game opening up the Silkmen had what appeared to be a good shout for a penalty but with the referee waving play on the home side broke to the other end and it took a good challenge from Paul Morgan to avert the danger.

Dale were exploiting the right hand side of the pitch and getting forward at pace, clearly having had a severe talking to by Keith Hill at half-time. With pressure building the Macclesfield defence was coming under more pressure, none more so than on the hour mark. Rundle shaping to shoot saw his effort flash across the box to Thompson whose shot cannoned off the post and out of play for a throw-in.

An increasing agitated Keith Alexander was out of his technical area issuing instructions to his team who seemed unable to hold possession. Jon Brain was again called into action from the dangerous Dagnall, saving well.

Izak Reid offered some respite, attacking Dale down the right but Kennedy was up to the threat. The ball went down the other end and from a quick corner Adam Rundle reacted quickest to head home with 66 minutes on the clock. Whilst the pressure had been building it was still a soft goal concede with five Silkmen defenders in and around the six yard box.

Danny Thomas entered the fray on 70 minutes, replacing Matthew Flynn with Izak Reid reverting to full back. At the same time Dale introduced Adam le Fondre and youngster Will Buckley for Dagnall and Thompson.

Five minutes later a tiring Gareth Evans was replaced by Martin Gritton. With time ticking away the Silkmen were getting increasingly frustrated by some strange decisions from referee Salisbury.

But all of that was forgotten on 81 minutes when both substitutes combined well with Izak Reid who delivered a telling cross into the box to find an advancing Nat Brown who planted a strong header into the bottom corner of the Dale net for his first goal since joining the club on loan from Wrexham.

From the restart Thorpe had another good chance, forcing Jon Brain to push his shot around the post. Keith Alexander then made his intentions clear when making his last substitution on 84 minutes with Francis Green replacing Simon Yeo.

Confidence understandably lifted, the Silkmen enjoyed more possession and better shape as the game entered the final stages, but had to be content with a point, which based on the balance of play over the ninety minutes was a fair result and one that would have pleased the travelling fans who made their way home having seen their side battle back from a goal down.