Adie Smith's fifth-minute dismissal for toppling John Askey virtually sealed their fate

Adie Smith's fifth-minute dismissal for toppling John Askey virtually sealed their fate. Although Chris Taylor set the tone for a defiant display by saving the resultant penalty by Cec Edey, he was beaten four times before the break.For Macclesfield, Neil Sorvel stroked the ball around like a playmaker from McIlroy's heyday; one pass with the outside of the foot was a reminder that the town is synonymous with silk. The touch of Peter Davenport, once of England, was similarly smooth.Carwyn Williams, signed from Northwich for a pounds 6,000 fee supposedly scraped together from a directors' whip-round after Jones' death, scored twice. The cherubic-looking Chris Byrne, discovered at Droylsden, showed why McIlroy has recommended him to Alex Ferguson.The highlight of the second half was a male streaker. A terrace conga by the busload from Bromsgrove - a fancy dress parade featuring a pirate, a bishop, a Harry Enfield-style Scouser and what appeared to be the Tories' ill-starred "Chickenman" - provided another distraction.The crowd of 3,000, double Macclesfield's average, were not complaining McIlroy was also understanding.

"At half-time I said `Let's get some more goals', but it's very hard to motivate yourself when you're 4-0 up."The campaign had become "a crusade" to honour Jones' memory, McIlroy explained. "The financial situation has been drastic ever since he died, and it was touch and go whether the players would get paid sometimes But they never came to me asking about their money. They all thought Arthur was a tremendous man."I took the news very badly because he was a personal friend I'd turned down job offers out of loyalty to Arthur It made me feel stronger that we had to do it for him. There was talk about closure but we said: `Let's get it right on the pitch' Touch wood we have.

We're in a good position though we're not counting any chickens."Few would bet against Macclesfield joining United, Bolton, Bury (or Stockport) and Wigan in an extraordinary clean sweep of champions from within 20 miles of Manchester. If they fail, McIlroy will not be inclined to confuse disappointment with tragedy.Goals: Payne (18) 1-0; Williams (20) 2-0; Davenport pen (31) 3- 0; Williams (45) 4-0.Macclesfield Town (4-4-2): Price; Tinson, Howarth, Payne, Edey; Askey (Mitchell, 73), Sorvel, Wood, Byrne (Bradshaw, 73); Williams, Davenport (Peel, 67).Bromsgrove Rovers (4-4-2): C Taylor; White, Wardle, A Smith, Brighton; Willgrass, Elmes (C Smith, 74), Crisp, Amos; S Taylor, Mainwaring. Substitutes not used: Clarke, Peters.Referee: A Kaye (Bradford).Sending-off: Bromsgrove A Smith. Booking: Bromsgrove Elmes.Attendance: 3,004.Man of the match: Sorvel.. The roar which greeted the announcement at Saturday's match that Elton John was resuming his position as chairman of Watford told its own story, writes Mike Rowbottom. The singer's return to the club as part of a consortium, seven years after he sold it, has aroused huge expectations among Watford supporters for whom the glories of the 1980's have become distant memories. Speaking from New York, John expressed his hope that the new organisation would start putting Watford "back on the football map", adding: "It is great to be back."But if Elton is back on the Yellow Brick Road, in tandem with Graham Taylor, the man who guided the team from Fourth to First Division in five years, then that road is a broader one.Plans are in place for Watford to ground-share with Saracens rugby club next season. Thus, world-class performers such as Michael Lynagh will be on view at Vicarage Road, although the rugby will have to fit in around the football.