Macclesfield dump out holders Crystal Palace in huge FA Cup upset - ESPN

Non-league Macclesfield pulled off one of the biggest-ever FA Cup upsets as they knocked out holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 win at the third-round stage.

The Silkmen, reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, sit 117 places below Palace in the pyramid but out-fought and out-thought a flat Eagles side to make new history for a club rising from the ashes of the old.

All-action captain Paul Dawson headed Macclesfield in front two minutes before half-time, and Palace failed to muster a response before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the lead on the hour.

Yeremy Pino's 90th-minute free-kick set up a nervy finish through six minutes of time added on but eight months after lifting the FA Cup to win their first major trophy, Palace surrendered it with a tame performance as Macclesfield fans poured on to the pitch to celebrate a famous victory.

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.

This was a day of celebration for Macclesfield, a club still coming to terms with the death of their 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod, killed in a car accident as he returned from their match at Bedford Town on December 16.

John Rooney's side paid tribute to McLeod with a performance full of spirit against a Palace side showing six changes but still including England internationals Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton.

Palace did not get a sight of goal until the 13th minute, but Pino poked well wide. Christantus Uche was much closer with a wicked dipping shot in the 28th minute, but Max Dearnley barely had a save to make and Macclesfield's belief grew.

Josh Kay had just sent a shot wide when he was brought down by Kaden Rodney,