Macclesfield etched themselves into the FA Cup history books by pulling off arguably the greatest giantkilling of all time, as they stunned Crystal Palace, the holders, in front of a disbelieving and delirious Moss Rose crowd. Despite 117 places in the English football pyramid separating the sides, Palace became the first holders to crash out to non-league opposition since 1909. Palace were a shadow of the side that romped to Cup success last season – the club’s first major trophy – despite including three of that Wembley lineup. They were picked apart by John Rooney’s inspired Macclesfield, who were spearheaded by Paul Dawson, their captain. It was Dawson’s header that set the upset in motion before half-time, with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scoring a scrappy second on the hour mark. Continue reading...