Devante Rodney’s opener set Dale on their way before Macclesfield equalised from the penalty spot. Connor McBride netted his first in a Dale shirt to regain the lead but the home side managed to level for a second time towards the end as Jim McNulty took the opportunity to field 21 players with a number of subs used in the second half.
Dale began the game in the ascendency and had a chance in behind when Rodney cut in from the left and went to ground in the area. However, despite the penalty claims, nothing was given.
That didn’t deter the number ten as with four minutes on the clock, Dale took the lead. Kairo Mitchell was picked out and the forward did superbly well to keep the ball in play and square for Rodney to tap home.
Macclesfield responded with their first opportunity of the game. Danny Elliott found space on the left before dragging an effort wide of Brad Kelly’s far post.
Ten minutes in, Rodney spun away from a defender and his cross was cleared just in front of the onrushing Mitchell, who was looking to pounce.
The home side had a couple of half chances to equalise before the break. Sam Beckwith blocked well after neat interchange between Tre Pemberton and John Rooney, with the latter’s effort thwarted.
And moments later, the midfielder tried to catch out Kelly, but his long-range attempt coming off the top of the crossbar.
Pemberton slid the ball through for Danny Elliott to strike just after the half-hour mark, with his powerful effort well saved by Kelly to his left.
Macclesfield began the second half on the front foot as both Luke Duffy and Elliott had chances. The first from Duffy was saved well down to the right by Dale’s Trialist B.
On the 70th minute mark, Kyron Gordon was adjudged to have brought down Duffy as the referee pointed to the spot. Macclesfield levelled as Rooney slammed home down the middle.
Dale responded well with a swift counter attack to regain the lead eight minutes later. Ian Henderson had the ball on the edge of the area and his effort was deflected into the path of McBride, who slotted home to the goalkeeper’s right.
Trialist B made a great save to deny Klelen Adams who was sent through on goal, with the ‘keeper standing tall to prevent an instant equaliser.
However, he could do nothing to stop the Silkmen levelling for a second time with six minutes remaining. Former Dale Academy player Neil Kengni paced down the left and cut back for Duffy to convert from close range.
Dale almost grabbed a late winner through Aaron Henry in added time, but his low shot took a nick on the way through which dribbled agonisingly wide.
Dale XI | B Kelly (45’ Trialist B), Gordon (74’ Trialist C), East (63’ Henry), Gilmour (74’ Edwards), Mitchell (74’ Burgess), Rodney (45’ McBride), Adebayo-Rowling (63’ Allarakhia), Ferguson (45’ Ebanks-Landell), Barlow (63’ Henderson), Beckwith (74’ Armstrong), Trialist A.
