Two points lost as Butcher saves Notts

New Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander was denied a dream start by a superb strike from free-scoring midfielder Richard Butcher.

Notts County had been frustrated by their relegation rivals and were looking increasingly desperate when Butcher produced his 11th goal of the season

Butcher... Scorer mucks in against Macc

with a stunning 20-yard volley that left keeper Jonny Brain wrong-footed.

Moments later, County could have added a second but Paul Mayo could only slice a 12-yard drive into the side-netting.

Macclesfield's new boss Alexander had adopted a far more positive style of play by instilling self-belief and aggression throughout the side.

However, they could have gone down on 22 minutes when Jay Smith picked out Ryan Jarvis only for the striker to fluff his header wide.

Moments later Macclesfield made them pay when Gareth Evans clipped a neat cross to the far post for the unmarked Izak Reid to drill home a neat ten-yard half-volley.

County immediately redoubled their efforts and should have equalised seconds later when Adam Tann planted the ball on the forehead of Mike Edwards only for the striker to nod over the bar from six yards.

Reid... Celebrates opener with Francis Green

County again caught the Macc defence flat-footed on 32 minutes when Smith released Mayo only for Brain to make a stunning full-length save.

They again went close on 37 minutes when Ali Gibb pulled the ball back for Jarvis, whose mis-hit shot was blocked on the six-yard line by Luke Dimech.

After the break, Macclesfield went close with a fizzing Jamie Tolley free-kick which was superbly saved by Russell Hoult.

But it was Notts County who should have equalised on 55 minutes when Edwards capped a poor day in front of goal by scuffing a simple shot from four yards to allow Brain to make another telling save.