Macclesfield Town win National League title, clinch return to Football League

Macclesfield Town have sealed a return to the Football League after a six-year absence thanks to a 2-0 win at Eastleigh.

The Silkmen built an unassailable 10-point lead over Tranmere Rovers at the top of the National League table thanks to their comfortable victory at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday.

Macclesfield, who were relegated at the end of the 2011-12 season, took the lead on four minutes through Tyrone Marsh before Mitch Hancox rifled home a close-range finish on the hour mark.

Club manager John Askey has defied the odds by operating on one of the lowest budgets in the National League, with the club forced to admit in February that players and staff were delayed in receiving their wages.

Macclesfield's promotion push was aided by Askey being able to make three signings in January, funded by the Silkmen Campaign Fund, which sourced donations from supporters of the Cheshire club.

Victory in Saturday's early kickoff puts automatic promotion beyond Tranmere, who must now negotiate the playoffs.