The Hornets gained a valuable point against top of the league Macclesfield after a first half goal from Liam Noble put us ahead, but it was cancelled out by a late equaliser from Sam Heathcote, as the points were shared.

The Hornets in the initial stages of the game were off to a commanding start. In the eighth minute, a decisive pass by Noble found Amar Purewal, but it fell into Max Dearnley’s hands.

Hebburn continued to hold strong, with good attacking chances, but were often held short by the Macclesfield defence.

On 15 minutes, Daniel Savage drove at the Silkmen defence, he floated a cross towards Robbie Spence at the back post, but he could only direct his header over the crossbar.

The first sight of goal for Macclesfield came on 17 minutes as Danny Elliott forced a corner of Aidan Heywood. John Rooney crossed the ball into the box, Paul Dawson connected with a header, but Kieran Hunter was alert to get down quick and keep his effort out.

Another chance then fell the way of Hebburn as Noble sprayed a ball out wide to Savage on 23 minutes, he lined up a first time shot, but Dearnley is able to catch the ball.

Chances were far and between over the next 20 minutes as both sides looked to find that decisive breakthrough.

The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of half-time and it was a deserved lead for the Hornets.

Heywood delivered a cross from the left towards Purewal in the box on 45 minutes, the ball evaded him and landed at the feet of Joe Posthill who layed the ball of to Noble who whipped an effort into the far corner to put us ahead at the break.

Moments later, Macclesfield wanted a penalty after Elliott was fouled in the box, but the referee waved away the appeals, before signalling the first half coming to an end.

In the 52nd minute, Tre Pemberton delivered a cross from the right, but it was comfortable for Hunter, who caught the ball.

The Silksmen continued to press the Hornets and arguably had their best chance of the game on 55 minutes as Rooney got a shot away from the edge of the box, but his effort went inches past Hunter’s near post and out for a goal kick.

The first change for the Hornets came on 72 minutes as Savage who covered every blade of grass, was replaced by Olly Martin.

Moments later, Macclesfield appealed for another penalty after D’Mani Mellor was fouled in the Hornets box on 74 minutes, but yet again, the referee waved away the appeals.

However, the game came to a halt in the 75th minute after Heywood unfortunately picked up a nasty looking injury, and he was subsequently replaced by Joe Walton.

The Hornets then had a chance to double their lead on 81 minutes as Spence won the ball deep in the Macclesfield half, he looked to power a shot home from 25-yards, but Dearnley somehow got across quickly to concede a corner.

The resulting corner was taken by Noble which saw Turner head the ball over the crossbar.

However, the Hornets defensive resistance was unlocked by the Silksmen as Heathcote fired home a low shot from the edge of the box on 86 minutes that sailed into the bottom corner to bring the league leaders level.

A minute later, Purewal found himself in the Macclesfield box, but his shot went over the crossbar.

Moore opted for his third change of the game as Joao Gomes replaced Purewal on 91 minutes.

Moments later, another chance went begging for the Hornets as Gomes threaded a pass through towards Martin in the 93rd minute as he fired a shot a Dearnley’s goal, but it went inches past the post.

A final change for the Hornets came on 95 minutes as Liam Murray replaced Paul Van-Zandvliet.

Soon after, the referee blew for full-time and the points were shared between the two teams.

Hebburn will probably be frustrated they didn’t get all three points, but based on the game as a whole, a draw was probably a fair result for both teams.

Att: 738

MOTM: Liam Noble