The Silkmen finished their three game tour of Northern Ireland this afternoon with a defeat to Coleraine at the Showgrounds. The only goal of the game came on 53 minutes when Jon Brain, in attempting to gather a ball he had spilt, was adjudged to have fouled the attacking player. The Bannsiders scored from the resultant penalty and ended any hopes of the Silkmen making it a hat-trick of wins on the trip.

The closest we came to equalising came when a shot from substitute Danny Thomas was narrowly off target. But despite the loss Keith Alexander was pleased with the week's work.

"I've been bringing sides here for many a year and yet again it hasn't disappointed. The hospitality on offer has been fantastic and as a squad we return to England a much stronger unit," explained the manager. "Coleraine were by far the stronger of the three sides we have played but it was still disappointing to lose in the fashion we did. But we are getting better as each game passes and I am confident we'll be ready and raring to go come the 9^th of August."

The starting XI, which including Paul Morgan and Jon Brain who had recovered from slight knocks, lined up as follows:-

Brain, Flynn, Hessey, Morgan, Jennings, Harvey, Millar, Hadfield, Blackman, Yeo, Evans

Seven changes were made to the side on 52 minutes, a move that clearly caught the match day announcer off guard. Quickly admitting defeat he very succinctly announced that 'Macclesfield are taking off a few lads and replacing them with some different lads."

It brought a smile to the biggest crowd of the trip and summed up the spirit of the last few days. For the record Dunfield, Deen, Reid, Gritton, Green, Bell and Thomas were the lads who came on replacing the lads who went off Jennings, Millar, Yeo, Evans, Blackman, Harvey and Morgan.

The team are due to fly back tomorrow morning and the club would like to thank all of those fans who travelled over to support the team.