The Silkmen and Bury have met on 15 previous occasions, we look at the history between the two clubs.

PAST ENCOUNTERS
This will be the 16th encounter between the two clubs and Bury currently have the upper hand with seven wins to the Silkmen's three, with all of these coming at the Moss Rose.

The first meeting was in 2002 at Gigg Lane, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the home side. Despite a second half equaliser from Kyle Lightbourne, future Silkman Danny Swailes hit the winner late on.

A 0-0 draw at the Moss Rose followed, and Macc's first win over Bury game the next season as Matty Tipton scored in a 1-0 win. Michael Welch and Jon Parkin scored in 2005's 2-1 win over Bury whilst Martin Bullock was the last Silkmen player to hit a winner against the Shakers later that year.

So without a win since 2005, Macclesfield's first and second points at Gigg Lane came with a 0-0 and 1-1 draw in the next two seasons. The latter coming courtesy of a 90th minute penalty from Kevin McIntyre in 2007, but the Silkmen lost the intervening home match 3-2.

2007/8 saw a 1-0 defeat at Gigg Lane late in the season after the Silkmen had let a two goal half-time lead slip in a 2-2 draw at the Moss Rose.

Last season it was another draw at the Moss Rose after a vibrant early start saw the Silkmen open the scoring through Martin Gritton in the sixth minute before Dawson equalised two minutes later. The rest of the game didn't live up to this start and the scores remained level. Away from home, promotion chasing Bury were 3-0 winners.

Earlier this season the Silkmen took an early lead at Gigg Lane thanks to a debut goal from Ritchard Butcher, although he will be the first to admit he didn't know too much about it as it rebounded in off his backside. But good fortune is often a rare commodity for the Silkmen and the Blues were pegged back within minutes thanks to a controversial penalty and then a seond, late goal took all three points for the home side.

PLAYED FOR BOTH
Obviously, and most poignantly, the most notable connection between the two clubs is that Keith Alexander was Bury's Director of Football before joining us at the Moss Rose.

Other than this, both squads feature central defenders who have turned out for the other side. The Silkmen have Paul Morgan whilst Macc legend Efe Sodje needs no introduction alongside Ryan Cresswell currently on the books at Gigg Lane.

Simon Yeo and Terry Dunfield have both turned out for the Silkmen last season after previously playing for Bury whilst other names include Matthew Tipton, David Flitcroft, Stuart Bimson, Alan Fettis, Greg Strong and Alf Arrowsmith, amongst others.