Blues lose out to the champs in front of a bumper crowd

LEEK Town were beaten 2-1 by champions Macclesfield in the Northern Premier League's top division at the F Ball Community Stadium in front of almost 1,800 fans.

- Phil Sherwin

Louis Potts fired over for the Blues before the visitors took an 18th-minute lead.

Macclesfield won a corner which resulted in D’Mani Mellor firing a shot against the post, only for Luke Duffy to steer the rebound into the net.

Two minutes later they doubled their advantage when a low cross from Neil Kengni was swept home by former Port Vale striker Danny Elliott for his 40th goal of the season.

John Rooney had a shot saved by Xander Parke as Macc threatened a third goal.

Seven minutes after the break Leek were awarded a penalty when Alex Hurst burst into the box and was brought down by Tre Pemberton.

Former Macclesfield winger Hurst scored the spot-kick for his 14th goal of the season.

On the hour mark Leek were almost level when a Potts free-kick led to Hayden Campbell having a shot cleared off the line but then Xander Parke had to save well from Paul Dawson at the other end.

Leek, the only team to have won at Macclesfield this season, battled on but their task in this game was made harder in the 65th minute when Liam Edwards was sent off for receiving his second yellow card.

Elliott hit the bar with a free-kick for Mace two minutes from time.

■In the West Division, CONGLETON TOWN made it 11 goals in three days by thrashing City of Liverpool 5-0 on their own ground.

The Bears opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Pete Williams played a great through ball for Matty Gillam to score from close range.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 when Max McCarthy struck an effort that was deflected in off a defender but still goes down as his 21st goal of the season.