Gainsborough Trinity made it six league games without a win as they fell to a 4-0 defeat at home to Robbie Savage’s runaway league leaders Macclesfield.
Trinity, who came into the game perhaps treating it as almost a free hit, made two changes from the side that drew with FC United of Manchester. New loan signing Sam Fishburn was handed his debut by Russ Wilcox in place of Javelle Clarke in attack.
Macclesfield, who were 16 points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League before kick-off, had been in their worst run of form of the season coming into this one. Two defeats in five may not look disastrous, but for a team who have only lost three times all season it was a point of concern for The Silkmen.
Macclesfield quality on the break:
Despite a battling opening couple of minutes from the home side, it was the visitors who hit the front after just three minutes. A slick passing move down the left-hand side found Luke Duffy in some space, the winger rounded two defenders before slotting calmly into the bottom corner and giving his side the perfect start.
Despite Gainsborough having some early territory in the Macclesfield half, they struggled to test the goalkeeper at all. Instead, it was Savage’s side who were showing real quality on the counter and creating numerous dangerous openings.
Bobby Johnson was the man who had Trinity’s best chance of the half, as he fired a powerful effort across the face of goal. Any touch would have almost certainly resulted in an equaliser but there was nobody in a blue shirt there to convert the golden opportunity.

Savage fumes at officials:
In a half where they were limited to few chances, perhaps a highlight for Trinity supporters was the outraged Robbie Savage berating the referee after he disagreed with a decision to give the home side a throw.
Referee Richard Morris gave the former Premier League midfielder a stern talking to and final warning, with plenty of jeers from the stands to boot.
Ten minutes before half-time though it was Macclesfield who doubled their advantage. A mix up at the back for Gainsborough allowed Danny Elliot to latch onto a loose ball and round the goalkeeper before finishing to make it 2-0.
As the whistle blew for the break, and with his team two goals to the good, Savage strolled towards the officiating team seemingly ready to argue with them, before being reluctantly sent away and down the tunnel by a Gainsborough official.
Six league games without a win for Trinity:
Macclesfield came out much the better of the two sides to start the second-half and on 56 minutes put the game out of sight.
Danny Elliot spun and volleyed goalward with a well struck shot, Wharton got a strong hand to it but couldn’t do enough to prevent it finding the back of the net.
Russ Wilcox looked to his bench for the first time on 65 minutes, changing both wing-backs in an attempt to get energy into his side as they were just beginning to tire with half an hour to play.
Despite the changes, Gainsborough lacked any attacking conviction to threaten Dearnley in the Silkman’s net.
Instead, it was Macclesfield who found as fourth ten minutes from time. A superb cross from the left-wing perfectly found the head of D’Mani Mellor who nodded into the bottom corner to make it 4-0.
The away side easily saw out the closing stages and condemned Trinity to defeat at home and it is now six without a league win for Russ Wilcox’s side. They will have to dust themselves down and go again quickly as they return to league action when they host Matlock Town on Tuesday night.