Macclesfield appoint Horton

Horton will work alongside John Askey

Brian Horton has been appointed as the new manager of Third Division strugglers Macclesfield Town for the rest of the season.

The former Port Vale and Manchester City boss will work alongside John Askey in a consultancy capacity.

Askey, who had been in charge since the dismissal of David Moss in October, was demoted to assistant manager at Moss Rose this week.

Horton has been out of work since leaving Port Vale in February.

Macclesfield are second from bottom of Division Three, three points adrift of safety.

But he feels he can help them avoid relegation: "I wouldn't have taken it if I didn't think they could stay up. But there are only seven games left so there is no time for messing around.

"It's muck and nettles to try and pull through. We have got some tough games left at home to Hull and my old club Oxford.

"I saw the team in February against Carlisle and I know all the players. I've spoken to John Askey and I want him to stay and I will pick the team for Sunday with John.

"It's a short term contract but if we stay up, and I'm positive we can, then I'll sit down and talk about what happens next."