Former Liverpool apprentice John Miles earned Macclesfield a vital three points with a goal of the season contender at the Moss Rose.
With the sides level he danced past two lunging tackles in the 73rd minute before curling a trademark shot inches inside the far post.
His manager John Askey said: "At 1-1 I thought we were going under but then John popped up to dispel all my worries." Miles himself said: "I get a lot of stick from the lads in training because I am always trying that, but luckily it came off tonight." Rovers manager Ray Graydon was not so happy saying: "All credit to the lad, it was a great goal, but we dominated the second half with 70 per cent of the possession and I am desperately disappointed.
"Before the goal we had enjoyed attack, after attack, after attack." Rovers should have taken the lead in the 37th minute but goal-shy striker Junior Agogo wasted a simple chance by poking wide from four yards.
They were made to pay by Colin Little five minutes later, his curling free-kick evading both defence and attack as it crept in at the far post.
Agogo should have equalised on 50 minutes but with only keeper Steve Wilson to beat he planted the ball straight at Macc's number one.
They eventually equalised when Lee Matthews, on loan from arch-rivals Bristol City, squeezed a shot against the upright, the ball falling for Lewis Haldane to gleefully tap home.
Askey said after the game: "It was very important that we got a result tonight. That was the only thing that mattered.
"I think we will play some better football when we get clear of the relegation zone.
"With the ability that some of the players in our team have got we are always capable of something special and it was John Miles who came up with the goods tonight."