Non-league Macclesfield knock out holders Palace in FA Cup's greatest upset

MACCLESFIELD, England, Jan 10 : Non-league ‌Macclesfield produced the biggest upset in FA Cup history on Saturday when they beat holders Crystal Palace 2–1 in a third‑round thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner's team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures.

Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts struck in each half as the home side - coached by Wayne Rooney's younger brother John - stunned Premier League side Palace, a team 117 places above them in England's football pyramid.

"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," John Rooney told the BBC. "We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads."

Dawson rose to head home a lovely curled free kick from Luke ‌Duffy in the 43rd minute. Buckley-Ricketts doubled their lead in the 60th minute when he twisted his body ‌to wrong-foot Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez in front of a delirious crowd at Moss Rose, the site of a children's under-nines practice earlier in the day.

Palace's Yeremy Pino scored with a stunning free kick in the 90th minute to make for some nervy added-time minutes.

"I was surprised (with the win), the gaffer gave us a game plan and we all stuck to it," said Dawson, who played most of the match with a bandaged head to cover a gash.

"Macclesfield means the world to me. It's an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It's a really big community club."

Palace boss Glasner had made six changes ‍to his team from Wednesday's scoreless draw with Aston Villa. He sent on reinforcements in Will Hughes, Tyrick Mitchell and Brennan Johnson to start the second half, but the changes made little difference as the visitors, who