Stephen Hunt gave 10-man Lincoln a first-half lead, but Sam Wedgbury's first goal of the season rescued a point for Macclesfield. The visitors had Ben Hutchinson sent off for two yellow card offences.
Tilson said: "For effort and desire you can't fault the lads. It was a real backs-to-the-wall performance with 10 men and it wasn't that good to watch, but I'm proud of the lads and of the fans for their support.
"There were only two bits of quality all night and those were the two goals. Ashley Grimes has set the ball nicely and Stephen Hunt scored a real sweet goal.
"As for their player it was a fantastic volley and it needed to be because Trevor Carson was in fantastic form all night. He made one real strong arm save and it did seem that nothing was going to beat him."
Tilson had no complaints about Hutchinson's dismissal adding: "I didn't think that his first booking was deserved, but having been booked he's been a silly boy for letting us face the Alamo for the last 30 minutes."
Source: PA
Source: PA