The Silkmen started well and after just six minutes Richard Hinds gave away a free kick which was taken by George Abbey 30 yards out. The striker picked his spot through a large gap in City's wall and his shot cannoned off the crossbar. Paul Musselwhite was powerless to stop Martin Carruther's bundling in the rebound.
A minute later, Danny Allsopp ran clear but shot straight at Steve Wilson. After eight minutes, City were level when Hinds equalised with an excellent looping shot hit first time from 20 yards which flew over ex-Tiger Wilson.
Jason Price shot over on 20 minutes, and moments later Price missed again after a mistake by Robert Jones let him in on the edge of the area.
Five minutes later, Allsopp missed another sitter after breaking through the defence again.
Three minutes before the break, the Silkmen missed a great chance to take the lead after a free kick from Matt Tipton curled onto the woodwork, but this time no-one was there for the follow up with Musselwhite beaten. And a minute before half time, Marc Joseph was pole-axed by Colin Little in an off-the-ball incident in which the Tigers captain was either punched or elbowed, and Little was sent from the field.
Minutes after the restart, Carruthers shot wide as Macclesfield were obviously sticking to their game-plan of defending tenaciously to come away with one point.
On 55 minutes Allsopp squandered another chance before scoring two minutes later with a low acute shot that just crept past Wilson at the far post.
Allsopp came close again on 63 minutes, but Macclesfield felt they had nothing to lose and went on the attack, with Danny Whitaker bringing out a fine save from Musselwhite on 65 minutes. Two minutes later Musselwhite saved an effort from Carruthers.
A minute before time, a good shot from substitute Ryan France was saved by Wilson, but just as City looked to be taking all three points, Whittle was controversially judged to have fouled Tipton just outside the area. Tommy Widdrington stepped up to take the kick and Whitaker scored from close range to elation from their travelling army of fans.