Macclesfield's English midfielder #06 Paul Dawson (top L) is hoisted above the crowd as supporters storm the pitch to celebrate the team's victory at the end of the English FA Cup third round football match between Macclesfield Town and Crystal Palace at Leasing.com Stadium, Moss Rose in Macclesfield, northern England on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. /
Crystal Palace’s defence of the FA Cup came to an embarrassing end as they were beaten 2-1 by sixth-tier Macclesfield in the biggest shock in the competition’s history.
Macclesfield miracle
The 117 places that separate Premier League outfit Palace from Macclesfield of the National League North in the English football pyramid is the most ever overcome by an underdog side in FA Cup history.
Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored either side of half-time to secure a famous victory for a club that were forced to reform in 2020 after being wound up for unpaid debts.
Macclesfield are also still coming to terms with the death of forward Euan McLeod, who died aged 21, less than a month ago after a car accident when he was travelling home after a match.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Manchester United, made six changes but his starting line-up still included England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.
Palace are now winless in nine games in all competitions and set-piece defending has been at the heart of that slump.
Macclesfield took full advantage when Dawson powered in a header from a free-kick just before half-time.
Glasner turned his back in disbelief at the goalmouth scramble that led to the sixth-division side’s second goal.
Palace fluff their lines
Buckley-Ricketts prodded past Walter Benitez from close range on the hour after Palace fluffed multiple opportunities to clear the danger.
Spanish international Yeremy Pino’s pinpoint free-kick in the 90th minute showed the quality the Premier League side possess.
But they could not save themselves from going down in history for the wrong reasons just months on from beating Manchester City at Wembley to win a major trophy for the first time.
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