Wycombe Wanderers are in danger of ending their season with a whimper as they succumbed to their fourth successive defeat. League Two leaders for much of the campaign, John Gorman's men now appear to be in free fall. For all but 80 minutes of this encounter they were second best to Macclesfield who have been fighting for survival all year.
Brian Horton's men took a giant step towards ensuring their football league status with a polished display of scoring a goal in either half.
They dominated the opening exchanges and were unlucky not to score in the 11th minute when Matt McNeil chipped a shot against advancing keeper Frank Talia. Strike partner Marcus Richardson then saw a downward header cleared off the line by Roger Johnson.
Wycombe missed their best chance of the half in the 24th minute when striker Charlie Griffin spurned a free header from six yards planting his attempt straight into the pouch of keeper Tommy Lee.
Macc took advantage in the 38th minute when Richardson was clipped by Talia allowing midfield man Paul Harsley to thump the spot kick to the top left corner.
Macc got the ball in the back of the net again before the break but Andrew Teague's close range shot was disallowed for an earlier barge on the keeper.
Macc had another appeal for a penalty waved away in the 50th minute when Martin Bullock was booked for a dive after he went down after close contact with full back Danny Senda.
Furious at being given a yellow card Bullock responded with a sniping run to set up Danny Whitaker's fifth goal of the season, a first time right foot shot from 15 yards.
Macc faced a tense last five minutes when Russell Martin blasted home a volley from 20 yards and Lee was in top form to preserve Macc's lead when he grabbed another volley from Martin in the dying moments.