The Silkmen make the trip across the Pennines to face Chesterfield on Saturday, and the Silkmen have had mixed blessings at Saltergate in the seven previous trips to the ground.

Of these seven, only four have come in League competition, starting in 1999 when the Silkmen had climbed to their highest point in the League, the Second Division. It was still November, in a season which saw the Silkmen struggle to settle at the higher level, and the Spirites won 2-0.

Two years later after Chesterfield were relegated into League Two, the sides met twice at Saltergate. The home side were on the way to promotion via a third place finish and ran out 4-1 winners despite Ritchie Barker taking the lead after 23 minutes. A rare Darren Tinson mistake four minutes later put them back into the game with an own goal.

It was 3-1 by half time and a second half penalty completed the scoring. It was a four goal spree in the LDV later that season as the two clubs went on a run of four games against each other in that tournament. Lee Glover scored twice for a mixed Silkmen side in a 4-2 defeat on an absolutely freezing night.

Now in different divisions there was a season between visits before the first of three straight seasons facing The Spirites in the LDV/JPT. However, only one of these came at Saltergate, in 2003 where all the scoring was done early doors as Danny Adams' 16th minute goal made it 2-1 after Cade and Robinson had scored for the home side.

The next two cup meetings came at the Moss Rose and so it was four years, almost to the day before the next trip. It would be one of the best performances under Ian Brightwell, as the Silkmen twice pulled back from a goal down.

Adam Rooney scored both for the home side, but Martin Gritton levelled to make it 1-1 before half time and Franny Green scored 17 minutes before the end to share the spoils in a thrilling encounter.

Last season then saw the Silkmen's first ever League victory at Chesterfield's home venue and the first victory over 90 minutes. The Silkmen started well and Martin Gritton took the lead for Macc after taking the ball on his chest, beating a defender and curling a shot in at the far post. Two minutes later it was 2-0. Lee Bell charged down a clearance and was clean through on goal and blasted a powerful strike into the roof of the net.

The impressive Ward scored before half time, but the Silkmen reasserted their two goal lead when Martin Gritton took Lee Bell's through-ball between two defenders and lashed the ball past the 'keeper.

Ward struck again to set up what looked like a nervy last 25 minutes, but second-half substitute Gareth Evans timed his run well to pick up a through, ball, and lobbed the advancing 'keeper from the edge of the area. There was still time for Francis green to get himself, and Chesterfield's Goodall sent off for a bout of hand-bags, before the full time whistle.

Despite all of these, the best known meeting amongst Silkmen supporters is the FA Cup tie in 1992.

With Chesterfield in the Division above and heading for a mid-table finish, and the Silkmen set to avoid relegation on the last day, thanks to Roy Green, the Spirites were clear favourites. But a good 0-0 draw at the Moss Rose set up a replay at Saltergate.

Ritchie Mitchell was the first hero for Macc, putting the Silkmen ahead only to see the goal cancelled out by a spectacular overhead kick to take the game to extra time.

Mitchell hit the back of the net again from outside the area to retake the lead and the victory was looking likely when again the Silkmen were pegged back with a little more than 10 minutes remaining.

Now it was Steve Farrelly's turn to take the plaudits, saving three of the penalties to put the Silkmen through. The Silkmen side that day was: Farrelly, Shepherd, Bimson, Edwards, Kendall, McMahon, Askey (M Farrelly), Lambert, Mitchell, Leicester.

This painted the Silkmen a small place in the record books as the first club to beat a Football League side on penalties in the FA Cup and set up an FA Cup game with Stockport County.

If you don't want to miss the next installment in the matches betweeen the Silkmen and the Spirites click HERE for travel and ticket details.