Town 4-1 Macclesfield
TOWN 4-1 MACCLESFIELD
The Town scored twice in each half to record their first home victory of the season.
The Hatters were a goal to the good inside 40 seconds when Jake Howells fired home his first goal of the season.
Howells then set-up Andre Gray for his first goal of the season when heading home from the midfielder's right-wing corner.
Macclesfield pulled a goal back early in the second half when skipper Nat Brown took headed past Mark Tyler.
At that point the Hatters were on the ropes as Macclesfield searched for an equaliser and the Silkmen almost got one when former Town striker Matthew Barnes-Homer saw a shot hit the woodwork.
But the Hatters rallied and with eight minutes left they made the points safe when Scott Rendell finished a fine move involving Howells and Gray to tuck home the Town's third.
By now Macclesfield's threat had diminished and the Town scored a fourth goal in stoppage time when Stuart Fleetwood slotted home following substitute Jake Woolley's pass.
Full report to follow.
FULL-TIME - Town victorious at home for the first time this season. Report, reaction and photographs to follow.
GOAL! 4-1 Town, into the third of four added minutes, Woolley races through, square pass to Fleetwood who slots past the keeper.
Four added minutes here.
Two minutes left almost 4-1, Watkins well-hit drive from 20 yards tipped around the post.
GOAL! And the Town can breathe again. A lovely move. Howells delightful ball onto Gray into the box, gets to the byeline, cuts it back on a plate for Rendell. 82 gone 3-1!
10 minutes left here. Hatters still ahead.
74 gone - First Town sub, Adam Watkins on for Rowe-Turner. Defensive reshuffle, gone to four at the back. Meanwhile Amari Morgan-Smith on for Henry for Macc.
72 on the clock big let off for the Town, Barnes-Homer hits the crossbar with a rocket from the edge of the box. Kovacs then gets in brave block.
Twenty minutes left here, Adam Watkins about to come on for the Town.
65 - Macc keep coming, big let off for the Town. They fail to clear their lines and the ball drops to centre half Charnock who blasts over when well-placed eight yards out.
63 on the clock, almost a sniff for the Town. Gray wins a free-kick on the edge of the box but Fleetwood curls a shot over.
10 minutes into the second half here. Macclesfield pushing for a leveller. Town trying to catch them on the break.
Goal here and Macc are back in this. Howells concedes a free-kick down the left that is swung in by Henry and skipper Nat Brown heads home. 2-1, 51 on the clock.
Annnnnnnnnd we're off for the second half. Town now shooting towards the Oak Road end.
HALF-TIME A good first half from the Town - they lead thanks to goals from Jake Howells and Andre Gray. Check back in 15 minutes for the second half. COYH.
42 on the clock. Macc win a free-kick where Beckwith gets a booking. Henry curls over the set-play that Barnes-Homer heads over.
Five minutes to half-time here, Hatters still well in command. Winning all defensive headers. Tyler not had a save to make yet.
10 minutes to the break here Town hunting a third. Fleetwood sends Gray away down the left but striker's effort ends up in the Kenny End. Still 2-0.
Half-an-hour gone here, Hatters still 2-0 ahead.
Fleetwood, showing confidence, lets fly from 25 yards. It's well hit but way off target.
Chance for Macc from a right-wing corner, defender Kieran Charnock heads wide. 23 gone still 2-0 Town.
GOAL! 18th minute and the Hatters have doubled their lead. Howells swings in a right-wing corner and Andre Gray heads home at the near post. 2-0 and that's the striker's first of the campaign.
Quarter-of-an-hour gone here and the Hatters are still ahead and good value for the lead.
Nine gone, still Town lead and pushing for a second.
Hatters on the front foot here. Howells' strike was a first-time effort after Fleetwood and Gray combined the latter's shot deflected into Howells' path and BANG 1-0.
GOAL! Only 40 seconds gone and the Town are head, Jake Howells firing home. What a start.