Macclesfield Town deserved the three points more than Darlington as they made goalkeeper Sam Russell earn his money.

But David Hodgson's side came within inches of earning a draw at Moss Rose on Saturday.

Youngster Chris Hughes was one of a trio starting their first league game of the season and he was a whisker away from grabbing an unlikely equaliser.

With less than ten minutes to play Hughes slid in at the near post in a desperate attempt to meet Matt Clarke's low cross but the 20-year-old just couldn't force his boot to make a connection with the ball.

A longer set of studs would probably have done the trick.

Alongside the steadying influence of Neil Maddison and up against Macclesfield's midfield general Tommy Widdrington - two experienced pros who remain pals since their days at Southampton - Hughes' remit was to bomb forward in the hope of grabbing a goal, and when Clarke passed across goal the theory couldn't have come much closer to reality.

"I hesitated slightly when I saw one of their players coming across but then I saw the ball coming towards me so I gave it everything I could; I threw myself at it but I just missed the ball," said Hughes. "I just missed it and it went across the face of goal - I suppose it was just like Gazza in Euro 96!"

Hughes had just reached his eighth birthday when Maddison and Widdrington first played for the Saints together, but 12 years on he admits the abundance of experience his elder team-mate brings to the team is vital.

The pair featured in a behind closed doors Darlington friendly last week and Hughes said: "I played alongside Maddo against Queen of the South and we did quite well together, so I knew that we'd have a good understanding.

"He's always making sure you're in the right position and talking during the game, so it's good to have someone with that kind of experience, someone that's played at the top level, alongside you.

"To hear the likes of Maddo and Lidds congratulating you for things you've done well on the pitch gives you a massive lift."

On his first league start since March, a goal would've been ample reward for the 20-year-old as he worked tirelessly in centre-midfield - a first for Hughes whose previous 33 Darlington appearances have all come at right wing-back but he prefers a more central position.

It's where he plays in the reserves and as Hodgson continues to tinker Hughes hopes to be given the opportunity for an extended run.

Summer signing Stepehen Thomas is back from injury while Clark Keltie had to make do with bench duty at Macclesfield.

Hughes said: "I've always played in centre-midfield until last season when I played most of my games at wing-back but I've always preferred playing in the middle.

"I enjoy playing there, you always get more involved when you're in the centre and I had a few runs into the box and was unlucky not to get on the end of Matt's pass.

"At the end of last season when we were doing my contract it was mentioned by the gaffer that I could get to play in the position a bit more often.

"Now I've got a chance I want to take it. I've been working hard in training and doing well in the reserves so I'm glad I finally got in the team.

"I was slightly surprised to be playing although there has been a few injuries such as Ian Clark and Craig Hignett and the gaffer wanted a flat-three in midfield with me on the right of that three.

"I played OK but I didn't get the goal I was looking for."

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