Macclesfield Town 0-0 Bristol Rovers
Attendance: 2,591 (782)Bristol Rovers and Macclesfield Town played out a goalless draw at Moss Rose in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Darrell Clarke made one change to the side that beat Aldershot Town last week handing a rare start to Angelo Balanta. The Colombian came into the starting 11 taking the place of Adam Dawson who dropped to the substitutes bench. New signing Abdulai Baggie was also among the substitutes.
Rovers started brightly with a slick passing move resulting in Matty Taylor's cross into the box from the left hand side being turned behind for a corner. Tom Parkes managed to get himself on the end of Chris Lines delivery but couldn't test Rhys Taylor in the Macclesfield goal.
Macclesfield's first chance of the game fell to midfielder Danny Whitaker who found some space on the middle of the pitch before shooting straight into Will Puddy's hands.
The Silkmen could and probably should have been 1-0 up after the 15 minute mark as Waide Fairhurst missed a chance which appeared easier to score.
Alex Grant fired a ball across field deep into the penalty area where Chris Holroyd squared the ball to Fairhurst. The Macclesfield front man had the whole goal to aim at but put his shot wide of the goal with Will Puddy well beaten.
The home side continued to press the Rovers back line and skipper Paul Turnbull tried his luck from a 30-yard free kick only to see Puddy save his effort comfortably.
Macclesfield definitely grew into the game and had another good chance just past the half hour mark.
Waide Fairhurst picked up the ball 25-yards out and advanced on goal twisting and turning the whole way before one last neat turn opened up the goal enough for a shot but Will Puddy was equal to it to keep the game goalless.
Moments later a late challenge from Fairhurst on Tom Parkes sparked a mass confrontation which resulted in both players receiving yellow cards. Fairhurst for the challenge and Tom Parkes for his reaction.
Just before half time Rovers had a chance to take the lead from another set piece. Chris Lines whipped another inch perfect delivery into the Macclesfield penalty area but Tom Parkes headed over the top of the bar.
Rovers started the second half well and a great burst of pace from Chris Lines saw him free down the Rover right, his delivery to the near post was almost tapped home by Matty Taylor but Rhys Taylor smothered the ball.
In what was a very tight second period, Darrell Clarked opted for a change in personnel bringing on Adam Dawson for Angelo Balanta with 20 minutes of the game remaining.
Darrell Clarke's men continued to probe trying to create space when Tom Lockyer tried his luck from the edge of the Macclesfield penalty area. The young Welshman connected well with the ball and fired it through a crowd of bodies but Taylor was able to gather in the Silkman goal.
In the final 10 minutes at Moss Rose Will Puddy almost had a moment to forget as his poor clearance struck the back of substitute Jack Sampson and almost trickled into his own net but luckily the spin on the ball took it the opposite way.
Rovers pushed for that all important first goal in deep into injury time Matty Taylor had a chance to snatch all three points but his strike was straight into the arms of Rhys Taylor.
Chris Lines had another late chance for Rovers but his free kick flew narrowly wide of the right hand post and past an outstretched Rhys Taylor.
Up next for Rovers is the visit of Chester to the Memorial Stadium on Good Friday with a 3:00pm kick off.
Macclesfield: Taylor; Halls, Audel, Pilkington, Grant; Turnbull (C), Lewis, Whitaker (Barnes-Homer - 70); Holroyd (Phenix - 75), Fairhurst (Sampson - 83), Moke.
Unused Substitutes: Cowan, Bell.
Rovers: Puddy; Leadbitter, McChrystal (C), Parkes, Brown; Balanta (Dawson - 68), Lockyer, Lines, Monkhouse; Taylor, Easter (Blissett - 79).
Unused Substitutes: Mildenhall (GK), Clarke, Baggie.