One of the Macclesfield commentators put the kiss of death on Saturday’s clash at Moss Rose before it had even kicked off.

"This game guarantees goals" were his words in the build-up to the match which the Reds needed to win for promotion points and Macc needed a victory to move further away from the bottom two.

And, with 23 goals in the previous six meetings between the two sides, the commentator did have every reason to be optimistic that there would be a flurry of goals on show.

So, once spoken, it was inevitable that it would be a goalless encounter – a point no good really for either side in their differing quests.

The last time the Reds chalked up a goalless encounter was nearly a year ago – in March at Rotherham - and the goals have been relatively free-flowing this season as Stanley buck their trend for the last three campaigns and challenge for a top seven spot.

Macc, who battle with a low budget and low crowds like the Reds, are hoping to move towards mid-table and while results haven’t gone their way, they have had some solid showings.

And they made sure this was one of them as an unusually nervy Reds side just couldn’t break them down and a place in the top seven remains elusive for Stanley.

Boss John Coleman felt there was still a hangover from the 4-0 loss to Northampton on Tuesday with the Reds unable to get their usual passing game going and their forwards unusually shot shy.

In fact the woodwork twice saved Stanley from suffering a worse fate as former Red Craig Lindfield threatened to upset the club he would have signed for but for Stanley being limited to 20 players.

And all in all manager Coleman was unhappy with the Reds stuttering form after an impressive run of sevens wins in eight league games but, by Saturday tea-time, one point out of six.

"It is a couple of points dropped and in the end, we have nicked a point as they had chances and took the game to us," said a dejected Reds boss after the game.

"In the first half, they haven’t been anywhere near our goal and, if you don’t cash in when you are on top, sometimes you pay the price.

"The players looked nervous and edgy – the work-rate and appetite was there but not the quality. Our decision making was not right, the passing was poor and the quality was absent. We got to the edge of the box and then didn’t perform.

"It’s the first time in four years we have gone to an away ground as favourites to win and we couldn’t handle it. It feels like a defeat especially as everyone around us won."

The Reds just weren’t firing on all cylinders as, although they got into good positions, they weren’t able to test keeper Jon Brain.

Their best chance came when Bobby Grant was clean through in the first half but, while the two coach loads of visiting fans expected to see the net bulge, instead the Reds top scorer sent his effort well wide of the goal. Brain kept hold of efforts from ex-Silkmen Michael Symes and John Miles while the home defence seemed to get back to clear everything in several goalmouth scrambles.

And it was Macc who came the closest to breaking the deadlock with Ben Wright firing over in a good position early on and the striker also had a shot pushed onto the post by keeper Ian Dunbavin, recalled to the starting line-up, just before half-time.

Lindfield then had his two big moments to see off his old club after the break but Dunbavin denied him twice – pushing his second effort onto the post and out to safety after the former Liverpool man beat the off-side trap and was clean through.

It wasn’t the best game to watch although Macc sub Emile Sinclair threatened to score a wonder goal at the death when he jinked his way from his own half, past around eight players to the penalty area but his final shot was easy for Dunbavin.

But otherwise a point at Macc was met with dejection – a sign of how high the Reds expectations have become this season.

Coleman admitted: "They defended well and we did too but we didn’t show enough urgency to go and win the game and towards the end, we were more concerned about not losing.

"For the second game running we haven’t worked the opposition keeper and that is a worry. If we are not careful, we will soon drift away from the play-offs."