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Macclesfield Town 1-1 Cambridge United: Sol Campbell's Silkmen secure survival with draw
Image source, Rex Features
Sol Campbell's Macclesfield secured their Football League status as Elliott Durrell's equaliser gave the Silkmen the point they needed at home to Cambridge.
Four points adrift of safety when former England defender Campbell - in his first managerial job - took over in November, Macclesfield overhauled Notts County and Yeovil before sealing survival on a dramatic final day.
The Silkmen were facing the drop when former Macclesfield midfielder Paul Lewis fired Cambridge into the lead and relegation rivals County went ahead at Swindon.
But Durrell's composed finish ensured Macclesfield were safe and any nerves were eased as Swindon came from behind to beat County.
Macclesfield were in the bottom two for the majority of the season after an awful start of just two victories in their opening 19 games, but a win and two draws to end the campaign was enough to stay up.
Campbell's side knew they only needed a point to survive due to their superior goal difference to County, but were nervy before the break and went behind to Lewis' 20-yard strike.
Durrell's smartly-taken leveller midway through the second half quelled any worries, however, ensuring last season's National League champions would not go straight back down.
Rookie boss Sol sees Silkmen to safety
Macclesfield's escape, masterminded by Campbell, has been a remarkable one considering that, bar the past month, they have spent the entire season in League Two's bottom two.
The Silkmen looked set for an immediate return to non-league after beginning the season with a 12-game winless run that cost manager Mark Yates his job in early October.
Things picked up slightly under caretaker manager Danny Whitaker, who registered three wins in his eight league games in charge.
But Macclesfield were still bottom, four points adrift of safety, when Campbell took the reins in late November.
The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham man had bemoaned his lack of managerial opportunities and proved he was, literally, willing to start from the bottom.
Campbell has overseen seven wins - including key away victories over County and Yeovil - and 10 draws in his 25 games in charge to guide the Silkmen to safety.