Macclesfield's season of misery continued after crashing out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 3-0 at Crewe.

Crewe brush aside struggling Silkmen

Macclesfield's season of misery continued after crashing out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 3-0 at Crewe. Keith Alexander's League Two side had shipped 18 goals in five defeats before the game at Gresty Road and the goals kept coming in this first-round clash. Steve Schumacher had already volleyed the hosts ahead when Town striker Martin Gritton earned his second yellow card and was sent off after just 13 minutes. Left-back Billy Jones made it 2-0 with a curling effort after 27 minutes and centre-half Danny O'Donnell headed a third just before the break. Macclesfield striker Simon Yeo shaved a post just after the restart as his side looked to rally but the game dissolved into a training ground possession exercise for the hosts. While the visitors defended bravely with all 10 men behind the ball, they never looked like mustering a recovery as the League One side cruised into round two of the northern section.