League Two Macclesfield Town battled hard to earn a replay from Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers this afternoon.
Bolton got off to a perfect start when Chris Eagles's corner caused all kinds of problems for the Macclesfield defence before Ivan Klasnic put the ball in from the right-hand side of the six yard box in the seventh minute.
Bolton continued to pressurise and Eagles's 20-yard shot was tipped round the post by Macclesfield goalkeeper Jose Veiga. Macclesfield then shocked the visitors in the 16th minute with an equaliser from Colin Daniel after a cross from winger Matty Hamshaw.
Martin Petrov had two long-range shots blocked as Bolton looked to regain the lead before the sides went in for half time level.
The second half began with the home side looking positive when going forward. Matty Hamshaw hit a shot from the left-hand side that went wide before Colin Daniel put a header wide from six yards out.
Macclesfield then rocked Bolton with a goal from Arnaud Mendy in the 68th minute. A corner from Sam Wedgbury was cleared by Zat Knight before falling to Mendy, who volleyed into the top right corner from 25 yards.
The lead lasted until the 77th minute, when David Wheater headed in an equaliser from a Martin Petrov cross.
Both sides continued to battle but the game ended level, with a replay needed to decide the winner.
Sam Hughes
