Macclesfield 1-1 Mansfield: Hosts draw to continue search for first win since promotion
Saturday 25 August 2018 19:02, UK
Macclesfield remain winless on their return to the English Football League after a 1-1 draw at home to Mansfield.
Mansfield led through Mal Benning's first half-header but they were consigned to a fourth successive draw in League Two after Harry Smith's equaliser in the second period.
The Stags were on top in the opening 45 minutes but home boss Mark Yates' triple substitution at half-time led to a much stronger showing from his side.
The visitors almost went ahead through Tyler Walker's shot which was parried by goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara and then Neal Bishop's follow-up effort was scrambled off the line by James Pearson.
A deserved opener came in the 32nd minute when Otis Khan found some space for a cross on the right and wing-back Benning was on hand to nod in from eight yards.
But Yates' changes at the break turned the tide of the game and Macclesfield were well worth their 63rd-minute equaliser. James Pearson's cross from the right was not dealt with and Smith was on hand to stroke home his first goal for the club.
