BEES STING MACC LADS

Rooney's non-leaguers suffer heartbreaking exit as own goal gifts Premier League side win

- BY STEPHEN KILLEN

MACCLESFIELD'S heroes received a standing ovation after Brentford broke their hearts.

The Silkmen dumped out holders Crystal Palace in the last round and battled valiantly against Premier League Brentford.

The Bees avoided becoming the latest scalp, scraping past the National League North side thanks to a Sam Heathcote own goal.

The Irishman emphasised they would not be underestimating the sixth-tier side but team selection didn't quite back that up with their two top scorers, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade, left out of the squad while club record signing Dango Ouattara was named on the bench.

Eleven years and seven months after a League Two meeting, the two sides locked horns after enduring contrasting fortunes.

Less than six months after, Macclesfield were wound up in the High Court, while Brentford (celebrating, left) were to make history by earning promotion to England's top table for the first time since 1947.