Head coach Daryl McMahon said he was proud of his players after seeing his struggling Macclesfield side battle out a goalless draw with Mansfield in treacherous conditions at Moss Rose.
The match only went ahead after the threat of strike action by Macc was averted - the Silkmen were charged last week with misconduct over the non-payment of players by the EFL and referred to a disciplinary commission.
Macclesfield fielded a team of youth players and loanees in last weekend's FA Cup defeat by Kingstonian, but put out a stronger side after most of the squad were paid their outstanding wages on Friday.
"I'm proud today," said McMahon, who was appointed as Sol Campbell's successor in August.
"I'm proud of the performance, proud of the character, proud of the togetherness. Everyone can see I'm working with an excellent group in the staff and the players and they were terrific today.
"It's not been ideal in terms of preparation. It's been documented we didn't train yesterday.
"The game was in doubt, but we're glad the game has gone ahead. It's important that as us a group we can control what happens on the pitch in terms of myself and the players. That we go out there and represent the club in the right way and the right fashion - and for ourselves - that people can see how hard we're willing to work for the club and show our character as well."
Driving rain throughout made the surface difficult with chances hard to come by and neither side able to find the breakthrough.
Defences comfortably held the upper hand in the first period, with each goal only threatened once as the break drew near.
Mansfield's Nicky Maynard had the first real sight of goal with a low effort that keeper Owen Evans did well to push it away.
The final kick of the half saw Arthur Gnahoua sting the hands of Stags keeper Conrad Logan after Theo Archibald created the space for him.
Just after the restart, Maynard wasted the game's best chance, prodding wide at close range from Kellan Gordon's swerving cross.
And a below-par day for Maynard ended with more disappointment when Alex MacDonald slid him in behind the Macc defence, but he sent his finish narrowly wide of the far post.
Report supplied by PA Media
