Macclesfield Town v Scunthorpe United, 12 August 2000

Macclesfield were unable to turn their early superiority into goals on the opening day of the season. Last term's top scorer Richie Barker squandered their best chance when he fired wide from six yards. Although holding the upper hand, the Silkmen managed only one shot on target and were made to pay for the profligacy when Lee Hodges netted shortly before the hour mark. The Iron midfielder ran unchallenged from halfway line to the edge of the area before beating 'keeper Tony Bullock. It seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home ranks, and United cruised towards victory on their return to the Third Division after only one season in the Second.