Macclesfield and Mansfield battled out a 0-0 draw in treacherous conditions at Moss Rose.

The match only went ahead after the threat of strike action was averted. The Silkmen were charged last week with misconduct over the non-payment of players by the EFL and referred to a disciplinary commission.

The EFL confirmed on Friday that the game would go ahead, with the majority of the squad understood to have been paid. Macclesfield fielded a team of youth players and loanees in last weekend's FA Cup defeat by Kingstonian.

Driving rain throughout made the surface difficult with chances hard to come by and neither side able to find the breakthrough.

Defences comfortably held the upper hand in the first period, with each goal only threatened once as the break drew near.

Mansfield's Nicky Maynard had the first real sight of goal, drilling a low effort, though keeper Owen Evans got down well to push it away.

The final kick of the half saw Arthur Gnahoua sting the hands of Stags keeper Conrad Logan after Theo Archibald created the space for him to let fly.

Just after the restart, Maynard wasted the game's best chance, prodding wide at close range from Kellan Gordon's swerving cross.

And a below-par day for Maynard ended with more disappointment when Alex MacDonald slid him in behind the Macc defence, but he sent his finish narrowly wide of the far post.

Soccer Saturday Super 6

FREE TO PLAY: Do not miss your chance to land the £250,000 jackpot for the fifth time this year!