It’s looking like a straight race now between Leek Town and Workington as to who finishes second in Northern Premier League West Division.
Both have five games left to play and the Staffordshire side lead the Cumbrians by just one point.
For while Reds were winning 3-2 at Colne on Tuesday night, Leek were being held 1-1 at home by Mossley.
Macclesfield need four points from their last five games to be confirmed as champions.
The battle is now for runners-up spot which would mean that particular club would possibly enjoy two home games in the play-offs.
It didn’t quite work out that way for Reds last season after they finished runners-up to Warrington Rylands.
They had a home semi-final to Marine but lost in extra-time and their conquerors went on to seal the second promotion place.
Chasing Leek (67) and Reds (66) are Clitheroe (52), Runcorn Linnets (52), Witton Albion (51), Mossley (48), Kidsgrove Athletic (47), Trafford (46) and Skelmersdale (45).
All have five games left to play as it has turned out to be the tightest battle for play-off places in some time.
Second plays fifth and third hosts fourth in the play-off system so the immediate task for Reds is to finish above Leek.
Still to play Reds have – Widnes (a), Witton (h), Kidsgrove (a), 1874 Northwich (a) and Colne (h).
Leek Town’s remaining fixtures are: Clitheroe (a), Ramsbottom (a), Newcastle Town (h), Colne (a) and Skelmersdale (h).
- Runcorn Linnets, however, will finish the season under new management following an emergency meeting of the trust board last night. At that meeting the Linnets dismissed Dave Wild from the position of manager over matters of gross misconduct. First team coach Billy Paynter has agreed to take charge of team affairs, assisted by Jamie Rainford, with immediate effect. The club said it would make any further comment.
