Oxford United vs Macclesfield Town. Sky Bet League Two.
The Kassam StadiumAttendance6,189.
Saturday 25 February 2012 18:58, UK
Macclesfield ended their appalling run of eight successive defeats with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Oxford United.
Michael Duberry's third own goal in Oxford's last four home games had given the Silkmen an unexpected lead in the ninth minute. The 35-year-old former Chelsea defender looked to be under no real pressure when Matt Hamshaw delivered a free-kick from the right, but planted a thumping header into his own net. Macclesfield keeper Richard O'Donnell, who only joined on a 28-day emergency loan from Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, saved well from Lee Holmes' 20-yard drive after James Constable pulled the ball back. Peter Leven went close with a rasping drive soon after, before the U's levelled three minutes before half-time through Oli Johnson. The former Norwich midfielder took a touch to beat a defender and drilled a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The second half became very open, and after O'Donnell saved smartly from Constable, Mark Connolly produced a brilliant last-ditch block to prevent Scott Rendell following up to score. Constable missed the game's best chance midway through the second half as he headed over from three yards from a Holmes cross following good work by Mehdi Kerrouche.
