A battling second-half display failed to rescue Cheltenham as Macclesfield ran out 2-1 winners.

Sappleton and Rooney strike for Macc

A battling second-half display failed to rescue Cheltenham as Macclesfield took the spoils with a first-half double that secured a 2-1 win. Elvis Hammond handed the Robins a lifeline with a goal on 69 minutes but Macclesfield held on for victory. The Silkmen took the lead on 27 minutes with a neat goal that sliced through the home side, with Ricky Sappleton getting on the end of Emile Sinclair's flick on to slot past Scott Brown. Macclesfield doubled their advantage two minutes before the break with a stunning strike from John Rooney, who volleyed home from 25 yards after Frankie Artus failed to deal with Bell's corner. Rooney continued to trouble the home side and drew a good save from Scott Brown, while Cheltenham livened up following the introduction of Julian Alsop. Hammond did get them a goal back with 21 minutes remaining, turning and shooting inside the area, but it was not enough.