A decisive first half saw Morpeth Town score twice and gain a lead they never looked like relinquishing in a 2-0 win over Macclesfield in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.

The Highwaymen displayed a different side of their game, replacing the usual verve and vigour with a more restrained, no less committed, and controlled performance that saw their game management rise to the fore.

The Silkmen, with a significant budget behind them, looked to build on their impressive 2-1 success at Marine during midweek.

They started strongly and threatened on four minutes when the pacey Neil Kengni shot straight at keeper Dan Lowson, before the latter got down smartly to deny the visitors at the near post on seven minutes.

But Morpeth started to find their feet, closing the pockets of space that had appeared at the start of the game, and had a few half chances come and go on 21 minutes before they took the lead on 25 minutes.

Michael Turner is developing quite a habit of scoring goals, netting his third in two games in this one. The centre-back sent Liam Noble’s near post corner goalward. It might have taken a deflection but the end result is all that mattered as it dropped into the back of the net.

Town doubled their lead on 31 minutes thanks to the returning Fenton John. The Middlesbrough loanee, who had scored two in seven appearances during his previous loan spell last season, started his current spell as he means to go on by scoring a ‘debut’ goal.

A long ball forward was cleared poorly by the Macclesfield centre-backs, allowing Noble to race on to the loose ball. Crossing for the hard-working Sam Hodgson, the striker was denied by keeper Conor O’Keefe before John reacted quickest to beat the keeper on the follow up.

John Rooney, brother former England international Wayne, had a shot blocked by Turner on 38 minutes before being denied by Lowson on the stroke of half time as the visitors sought a foothold.

The second half was all about the next goal, if there was going to be one, and Macclesfield pushed for it with Alex Curran drilling a shot wide of the far post on 59 minutes. By now, Macc had four up front and were leaving big gaps in behind.

Vinnie Steels, a willing and effective runner throughout, raced through but slid a shot just past the far post on the hour mark before just missing Hodgson with a cross on 73 minutes as Town looked the more likely to score.

That was until substitute Kane Drummond wriggled clear at the near post to thump said post with a shot that would be as close as the away side would come to registering.

Town were looking a real menace going forward and could have had a third on 81 minutes if O’Keefe hadn’t denied substitute Andrew Johnson.

The Highwaymen had the better of the chances in the closing stages, as Macclesfield toiled in search of a goal, with Hodgson blazing over on the turn from close range on 82 minutes before Noble’s long-range effort was pushed clear on 89 minutes.

Jack Foalle, on the counter, shot straight at O’Keefe deep into stoppage time but neither side would find a third goal of the game as Morpeth moved up to a league-high seventh ahead of a trip to Lancaster City on Tuesday night.

MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson (Henderson 64’), Miller, Donaldson, Wombwell, Turner, Foalle, Noble, Hodgson, John (Jenkins 68’), Steels (Johnson 78’).

SUBS: Barlow, Boyd.

MACCLESFIELD: O’Keefe, Pemberton, Fensome, Mendy (Lee 33’), Heathcote, Murphy (Rowe 51’), Kengni, Dawson, Curran (Drummond 59’), Rooney, Duffy.

SUBS: Hurst, Nolan.

ATT: 452