Non-league Macclesfield delivered the biggest upset in FA Cup history by knocking out holders Crystal Palace with a deserved and unforgettable victory, despite being ranked 117 places below their Premier League opponents.
Playing with confidence and intensity that belied the gulf in status, the hosts took the lead when captain Paul Dawson powered home a superb first-half header, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the advantage after the break by reacting quickest to a loose ball in the area.
Palace dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, their problems compounded as their winless run stretched to nine matches.
Yeremy Pino’s expertly struck stoppage-time free-kick set up a tense finale, yet Macclesfield showed remarkable composure to see out the result and secure a famous win that will be remembered as one of the competition’s greatest giant-killings.
