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Salford capitalised on a dire Macclesfield performance to ease to a 2-0 win at Moss Rose.

Both sides struggled with fierce winds and a rutted surface and it took the visitors half an hour to edge ahead, thanks to a huge slice of luck.

Ash Hunter, who had scuffed a good early chance wide, sent in a cross from the left that caught the wind and sailed over Macclesfield goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell and into the top corner of the net.

That goal knocked the life out of the hosts after their bright start and they fell further behind seven minutes later. Richie Towell played a neat one-two with Brandon Thomas-Asante and slipped a smart finish under Mitchell.

Two goals to the good, Salford were able to cruise through the second half.

The Ammies survived a scare when their right-back Oscar Threlkeld headed Joe Ironside's cross towards his own goal, keeper Kyle Letheren brilliantly pushing the ball onto the post.

That chance, and Towell clearing Nathan Cameron's goalbound header, aside Salford were firmly in control and ran out comfortable winners.

Match report supplied by PA Media.