THESE are turbulent times for Macclesfield Town.

After Bury’s demise and the near-collapse of Bolton, a third club in the north west face a very real threat of going under.

Supporters fear Macc could go to the wall in the same way as Hereford and Darlington.

A winding-up petition against the Silkmen was recently adjourned for a seventh time after 10 months of wages being paid late. The staff are due to receive their November money today.

The EFL have charged the club with misconduct over the late payments and a points deduction is likely to follow.

With one of the lowest budgets and the smallest crowds in the league, Macclesfield’s backs are against the wall.

Two seasons after winning promotion back from the National League, potential relegation is the least of their worries.

Owner Amar Alkadhi is deeply unpopular with supporters who have staged protests demanding he go. But the reluctant Iraqi, Macclesfield’s only board member, is struggling to find a buyer to take over.

It is the toughest battleground possible for Daryl McMahon to cut his teeth in league management.

The former Ebbsfleet chief took the helm a couple of weeks into the season when Sol Campbell suddenly upped sticks and left.

McMahon has been thrown in the deep end – with the players going on strike over their unpaid wages and refusing to play the FA Cup tie against Kingstonian.

The non-leaguers strolled to a 4-0 win at the Moss Rose against a side comprising loanees and the club’s youngsters. The seniors restored for the Leasing.com Trophy at Shrewsbury and since then, Macc have claimed goalless draws against Mansfield and Salford.

McMahon said: "When we play at home it doesn’t matter who we play. Our performances have been really good and we're a tough place to go to.”