Macclesfield stun Palace in FA Cup upset for the ages

Non-league Macclesfield produced one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time by knocking out holders Crystal Palace in a stunning 2-1 upset at Moss Rose.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Eight months after Palace lifted their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City at Wembley, the Premier League side became the first FA Cup holders to lose to non-league opposition since Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1909.

Macclesfield, of the sixth tier, started the day 117 places below the Eagles in the English football league pyramid. But inspired by goals from captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Rickett, and overseen by coach John Rooney, the younger brother of former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, they overturned the odds in a hugely emotional day for the Silkmen.

Thousands of supporters flooded onto the pitch at the sound of the full-time whistle as Macclesfield became the first sixth-tier team to beat Premier League opposition. In terms of league position and the 117-place gap between the sides, it is the biggest-ever FA Cup upset in the history of the oldest cup competition in the world.

It is also a win that could kickstart a new dawn for the club after years of turmoil off the pitch. Macclesfield were reborn in 2020 after going out of business and being expelled from the Football League. The historic club Macclesfield Town, formed in 1871, was wound up in the High Court after debts exceeded £500,000.