Macclesfield 0-1 Brentford — Sam Heathcote own goal ends non-league giant-killers' run
Macclesfield's fairytale FA Cup journey came to an agonising end as Brentford squeezed past the non-league side 1-0 at Moss Rose. A second-half own goal from defender Sam Heathcote proved decisive, sending the Premier League visitors into the fifth round and bringing down the curtain on a run that included a famous victory over the holders.
How the tie unfolded
From the first whistle Macclesfield played with confidence and tempo, pressing high and creating the clearer openings. The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and fashioned several chances — skipper Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts both went close — but could not convert their territorial advantage into a lead.
Brentford, fielding a heavily rotated line-up, struggled to find rhythm and looked rushed on the ball early on. The visitors improved after the break, gradually pinning Macclesfield back with sustained pressure and a succession of corners that forced the under-pressure hosts to defend deep.
The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute. Aaron Hickey found space on the left and swung in a dangerous cross; Heathcote, under pressure in the box, deflected the delivery past his own goalkeeper. It was a cruel way for the tie to be decided after a display of uncompromising work from the part-time hosts.
Players and managers react
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson summed up the bittersweet mood in the dressing room: "I am proud of every single one of them. The shift we put in against Palace and then again today, as an achievement. It's disappointing to lose but that's football. I have absolutely loved it. Testing yourself against some of the best players in the Premier League is unbelievable. I am so proud of the lads and the club and the town. "
Brentford boss Keith Andrews acknowledged the toughness of the assignment and praised the visitors' character: "It was a really tough test. We knew it would be. Macclesfield play with a real spirit and the way they approach the game they had confidence from the last round. First half I didn't think we did certain things well enough. I tweaked a couple of things at half-time... We eventually wore them down and got the goal we clearly needed. " He also noted the unusual surface underfoot, adding that it was different from what many of his players are used to.
What happens next
The victory moves Brentford into the fifth round, where they will make a trip to a London rival in the competition. For Macclesfield, the exit ends a sequence that began back in September and captured the imagination — not least for the shock victory over the holders in the third round. The club leave the competition having earned a legion of new admirers for their fearless approach and sense of togetherness.
While the scoreboard did not reflect the intensity and quality of the contest for the full 90 minutes, the result underlines the fine margins that separate cup glory from heartbreak. Macclesfield's players will take huge pride from the run and the memories it created, and Brentford will turn their attention to the next round and the dual demands of cup and league football.
Match facts: Moss Rose; final score Macclesfield 0, Brentford 1 (70', own goal Sam Heathcote). Reflections from both camps underline the respect earned on a night when the giant-killing nearly produced another famous upset.
