Nine-man Macclesfield lose unbeaten home record to Hereford ahead of Southport trip

Sunday 25 October 2026 · By Patrick Wolstenholme

Macclesfield’s unbeaten home record in the Enterprise National League North is over after a 2–1 defeat by Hereford on Saturday, in a game in which they finished with nine men.

The result, in front of a crowd of 3,235, was only Macclesfield’s second league defeat of the season and their first at home. It also cost John Rooney’s side top spot, with Hereford leapfrogging them.

The afternoon started badly. Elliot Osborne, who came into the side in place of Borthwick-Jackson, was sent off with a straight red card in the 15th minute for a foul on Hereford’s Waldron. Skinner scored the resulting penalty a minute later.

Play was paused at one stage because of standing water on the pitch, according to the club’s match report, but Macclesfield battled back after half-time. Duffy levelled in the 52nd minute with a fine strike from 25 yards.

The equaliser did not last long. Hereford’s Iwunze scored the winner in the 58th minute, and shortly after the hour Josh Kay was shown a second yellow card, leaving the hosts with nine men for the rest of the game.

Despite the defeat, Macclesfield named Ammar Dyer as their man of the match.

The club has not said how long either player will be suspended, or whether Osborne and Kay will miss Tuesday’s trip to Southport. Rooney may have to reshape his side for the game either way.

Macclesfield are now third in the table on 24 points from 12 games, level with second-placed Oxford City and two points behind Hereford. They have scored 18 league goals and conceded 11. Only the champions are promoted automatically, with the clubs from second to seventh going into the play-offs.

There was better news in the FA Cup earlier in the week. Macclesfield won 3–0 at Anstey in their fourth qualifying round replay on 20 October, and they have been drawn away to Mansfield Town in the first round. That tie will be played on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Before then, Macclesfield face two away league games. They visit Southport on Tuesday, with kick-off at 19:45 GMT. Southport kept their first clean sheet of the season in a goalless draw at King’s Lynn on Saturday, under temporary bosses Craig Noone and Will Craggs, and Osborne is a former Southport player.

Rooney’s side then travel to Bedford Town on Saturday 31 October. The league game against Worksop Town that was scheduled for the FA Cup weekend is expected to be moved, although that has not yet been confirmed. Macclesfield are due at Oxford City on Tuesday 17 November.

Saturday’s defeat ended a strong run at home, but Macclesfield remain firmly in the promotion race. How they respond at Southport, possibly without two players, will be a good test of their character after a costly afternoon.