Darlington recorded their third clean sheet in four League Two outings with a goalless draw at Moss Rose. The improvement that manager Dave Penney wanted to install at the back has clearly taken effect but at the other end of the pitch Quakers were left frustrated and unable to find a way through in a gritty match which saw few clear cut chances for either side.

Up front strikers Tommy Wright and Pawel Abbott endured their most frustrating day yet as a pairing. Despite some nice touches the forwards found gaps hard to come by. The second half introductions of Gregg Blundell and Ian Harty shook things up for the visitors but a draw always looked the more likely outcome from this encounter. Macclesfield enjoyed the better of the first period and should have taken the lead from the penalty spot.

Quakers had goalkeeper David Stockdale to thank as he denied Kevin McIntyre from the spot. Tim Ryan upended Danny Thomas in the box after quarter of an hour but the Macclesfield penalty king, who scored nine goals from nine penalties last season, was denied by Stockdale who made a sharp diving save to his right to claw the ball away. Darlington upped the tempo following the half time interval and looked a greater threat but Macclesfield look a far better outfit this term.

The Silkmen successfully battled against relegation last season under Paul Ince who has since moved on to MK Dons. The Moss Rose side would no doubt have been the favourites to drop out of the division this season but Ian Brightwell has improved his side over the summer. Following a campaign of floundering around the foot of the table any improvement would be a step forward but on the evidence of this resilient showing and their notable result against MK Dons the hosts should be well clear of any relegation scrap this year.

Chances in this game were limited for both sides. Julian Joachim saw an early shot blocked and Darlington forced a string of corner kicks whilst Michael Cummins saw a shot deflected over the bar. Ten minutes into the game Abbott nearly managed to take the ball around Tommy Lee in the Macclesfield goal but the keeper pulled off a good stop following equally good work from Wright. The home side however grew in confidence as the half went on and on twelve minutes Martin Gritton controlled a deep cross from the right on his chest before drilling the ball low past the far post.

A harsh penalty decision should have been Macclesfield's cue to take the lead but they were unable to convert. The home side were not deterred and continued to pass the ball around nicely albeit without making too many clear cut openings. Francis Green headed down for Gritton on twenty-five minutes but his shot was bravely blocked by the sprawling frame of Darlington skipper Stephen Foster. Five minutes before the break they went close as Richard Edghill cut inside from the right flank and curled wide of the far post.

Darlington's tempo increased after the break but the game remained bog down in a midfield tussle with both sides largely cancelling each other out. Quakers introduced Kevin McBride close to the hour mark for Chris Palmer who struggled to make an impact on the game. A few minutes after his introduction McBride crossed well from the right where Wright went for the acrobatic when a header may have been the better option. The Darlington forward failed to make a connection with the ball as it flew over the area and it was his last chance of the afternoon as he and Abbott made way for Blundell and Harty. Their introductions bought something fresh to Darlington's attacks and on more than one occasion the visitors could have notched a late goal.

Darlington's defence though was the real winner in this encounter. They looked solid and composed and in a rare moment on seventy minutes when they were breached Macclesfield found Stockdale in outstanding form. The young keeper has taken his early season chance with both hands and he produced a superb stop to deny Gritton to almost guarantee that Quakers would leave Moss Rose with at least a point though Penney's side could have taken all three.

With time running out substitute Harty was presented with a gift wrapped chance. The Scottish forward was left with just the keeper to beat after the ball broke to him in the area however he dwelled too long and Lee made a good stop. Shortly afterwards Darlington were handed another late chance when Blundell flicked the ball through to Harty but from a tight angle Lee covered his near post and the forward was denied. A draw was a fair reflection on a tight match. The result leaves both sides unbeaten in the league but Quakers know they can and will have to play better than this.

Macclesfield: Lee, Dimech, McNulty, Edghill, Dunfield, Levi Reid, McIntyre, Thomas, Murray, Green, Gritton (Evans 85). Subs: Brain, Hadfield, Evans, Izak Reid, Wiles.

Darlington: Stockdale, Ryan, White, Foster, Cummins, Ravenhill, Palmer (McBride 58), Purdie, Joachim, Abbott (Blundell 67), Wright (Harty 67). Subs: Oakes, Miller, McBride, Harty, Blundell.

Macclesfield bookings: Dunfield.

Darlington bookings: Wright.

Report by Kevin Luff.