Football: Halifax deny Macclesfield title

The race for the GM Vauxhall Conference championship and promotion to the Third Division will go to the final day of the season after Macclesfield Town were held to a 3-3 draw away to Halifax Town last night.

The result leaves Macclesfield two points clear of Kidderminster Harriers, their only rivals for the title. Both teams play their final matches on Saturday, with Macclesfield travelling to Kettering and Kidderminster visiting Gateshead. Macclesfield have a goal difference of 47, while Kidderminster's is 44.

Macclesfield twice let slip a two-goal advantage last night against opponents desperate for points of their own. Halifax went into last night's match at The Shay only one place above the Conference relegation zone.

Macclesfield went two up in the first 21 minutes through Chris Byrne and Neil Sorvel. Jamie Murphy pulled a goal back for Halifax just before the interval, but Peter Davenport restored Macclesfield's advantage after 79 minutes. Geoff Horsfield promptly reduced the arrears, however, and after 85 minutes Kevin Hulme, who joined Halifax from Macclesfield, scored the equaliser.

Macclesfield or Kidderminster will take up their League place next season at the expense of either Hereford United or Brighton, who meet on Saturday in a game which will decide who finishes bottom of the League.