Non-league Macclesfield knock holders Crystal Palace out of FA Cup in third round

Non-league Macclesfield FC, of the National League North, have knocked holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup, beating them 2-1 in the third round in the competition's biggest ever upset.

Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts got the goals for the Silkmen at Moss Rose, before Yeremy Pino pulled one back for Palace late on.

Macclesfield fans poured on to the pitch to celebrate the famous victory over their Premier League opponents, who won the trophy by beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley in May.

Saturday's result is the biggest shock in history in terms of league places between victors and the defeated - 117 places between the two. The previous biggest gap was 108.

It was the first time the holders had lost to non-league opposition since Palace themselves beat Wolves back in 1909 while in the Southern League.

Macclesfield's captain Paul Dawson headed his side in front two minutes before half-time, and when asked about his header by BBC Sport, said "I do get in quite a few every week".

In an illustration of their lowly status, he revealed he had helped clear snow from the pitch before Tuesday's league game against Radcliffe FC.

Dawson and his manager, John Rooney, dedicated the stunning win to Macclesfield's 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod, who was killed in a car accident as he returned from last month's game at Bedford Town.

Of the result, Rooney said: "I can't believe it. Or get my head around it. I'm lost for words at the minute."

Indicating the celebrating players and fans, he added: "You can see the joy in them out there.

"I didn't think it was possible but there is that little bit of hope that anything can happen on the day."

His side's shock win was watched by his brother, the former England and Manchester United striker, Wayne, who fought back tears, as he told the BBC he was "so proud".

Praising his sibling's calmness, he said: "I know he wanted the referee to blow his whistle but, at the end, he just turned round and did a little fist pump to the bench. He looked calm. I don't know how.

"But, you know, it's such an achievement. What he's achieved today, absolutely superb."

Palace manager Oliver Glasner congratulated the winners, admitting his team "deserved to lose", adding he had "no explanation" for the result.

"You don't need tactics in these kinds of games. You just have to show what you're capable of, and show a little bit of pride and you'll perform in a different way. But today we lacked everything."

Glasner had made six changes to his team but still picked England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.

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Formerly known as Macclesfield Town, the Cheshire club was wound up in 2020 with debts of more than £500,000 and reformed as Macclesfield FC the same year, playing in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) Premier Division.

The shock scoreline has echoes of other famous upsets by non-league teams in the world-famous tournament, such as Hereford's 2-1 win over Newcastle in 1972 and Blyth Spartans' 3-2 victory over Stoke City six years later.

(c) Sky News 2026: Non-league Macclesfield knock holders Crystal Palace out of FA Cup in third round