MACCLESFIELD TN 0, ALDERSHOT TN 2

SEVERAL precious commodities which have been in all too short supply this season combined to give Aldershot Town an unexpected but highly valuable victory at Moss Rose last Saturday.

Consistency, resolve, timing and a new-found predatory instinct, as well as a welcome dose of luck, dovetailed in fine style as the Shots earned a second successive win and inflicted upon Macclesfield a fourth consecutive home league defeat.

Alfie Pavey gave the visitors the lead after the Silkmen had started strongly, and then Damon Lathrope’s 35-yard free-kick, on 65 minutes, quashed any hopes of a Macclesfield comeback.

There was a lively debate about Lathrope’s intentions in floating the ball towards the far post – whether as a direct shot or for an onrushing team-mate – but the outcome was clear.

Typically, Barry Smith dismissed this as being one of his side’s best displays of the season, but the manager did acknowledge: “It’s a great result and a good away performance. Although they had a lot of possession, I can’t remember much that gave us a lot of problems. We deserved that one today, thanks to the players’ hard work, by being disciplined and scoring the goals at the right time.”

This was his team’s most complete display in several months, featuring a solid defence, a combative and creative midfield, and a dynamic attack augmented by striker Ross Lafayette, signed on loan from Eastleigh.

Initially, though, Macclesfield had looked the more dangerous, with several threatening crosses and decent chances for Danny Whitehead and Danny Rowe. Nonetheless, Rhys Browne soon brought two strong saves from Ritchie Branagan and, on 19 minutes, Aldershot were ahead.

Dan Walker picked up possession after a break forward by Cheye Alexander and supplied an inviting cross which Pavey deftly headed in from beyond the far post.

Rowe and Dan Walker exchanged long-range efforts and, either side of the break, Macclesfield exerted a degree of pressure without fashioning an end product more telling than Whitehead’s 20-yard curling shot just past the upright.

Whitehead later drew a save from Phil Smith with a fierce drive but, within seconds, Lathrope evoked memories of Ronaldinho’s strike against England at the 2002 World Cup – when, intentionally or otherwise, the Brazilian’s chip embarrassed David Seaman – with the midfielder’s teasing free-kick leaving Branagan similarly red-faced.

Two-nil, and Macclesfield had no response. In fact, Aldershot could have extended their lead. Dan Walker’s pull-back hit Lafayette and had Branagan scrambling to parry the ball away, and then Walker himself had a shot towards the near post deflected and saved.

Kristian Dennis, the National League’s top scorer, was restricted to half-chances and when his injury-time snap shot was blocked by Omar Beckles, Macclesfield knew they were well beaten.

Following the 3-1 victory against Chester, this again showed that Aldershot are capable of climbing the table in the second half of the season. Despite their own, perhaps loftier ambitions, Macclesfield were definitely second best.

Macclesfield: Branagan; Halls, Byrne, Pilkington, Fitzpatrick; Diagne (Holroyd 46), Turnbull (Sutherland 51); Whitaker, Whitehead, Rowe (Robles 80); Dennis. Subs (not used): Cowan, Jalal. Booked: Byrne, Branagan.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, Beckles, Oastler, McGinty; D Walker, Lathrope, Gallagher, Browne (Richards 90); C Walker (Lafayette 60), Pavey (Stevenson 68). Subs (not used): Thomas, Oliver. Booked: Lathrope.

Referee: Joseph Johnson.

Attendance: 1,515 (126 away).

Aldershot supporters will expect nothing less than a third consecutive win when the Shots host Kidderminster at the EBB Stadium this Saturday. The Harriers are six points adrift at the bottom of the National League table.