Own goal ends Macclesfield’s FA Cup Dream | OneFootball

Macclesfield’s fairytale FA Cup run was ended in heartbreaking fashion as Brentford scraped through with a narrow 1-0 victory in their fourth-round clash at Moss Rose.

The National League North side, giant-killers against Crystal Palace in the previous round, once again proved they belonged on the big stage. Despite sitting 116 places below their Premier League opponents, they matched Brentford for intensity and organisation, particularly in an impressive first-half showing.

Keith Andrews rotated heavily, making several changes to his side, and Brentford lacked fluency early on. Macclesfield pressed with energy, unsettled their visitors and created the more encouraging openings, but couldn’t find the finish their performance deserved.

As legs began to tire, the top-flight side gradually increased the pressure. The breakthrough came with 20 minutes remaining when Aaron Hickey burst down the left and fired a low cross into the danger area. Under pressure, Sam Heathcote inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net - a desperately unlucky moment that ultimately settled the tie.

The Silkemen threw everything forward late on and came agonisingly close to forcing extra time, but Brentford survived.

The Bees now head to West Ham in the next round, while the Silkmen exit the competition with immense credit after another fearless display.