"Sixth-tier Macclesfield could lay claim to having produced the greatest shock in the FA Cup's 155-year history. The National League North side defeated FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday despite being ranked 117 league places below the Premier League club. That makes it the biggest shock in the competition's history in terms of difference in league position. But where would you place it among the biggest surprises in football's oldest cup competition?"
"Despite being 117 league places below their opponents, Macclesfield thoroughly deserved to win. Paul Dawson's brilliant header in the first half sent the home fans delirious, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts prodded in a second after the break. Yeremy Pino set up a nervous finish for the hosts when he fired home a free-kick in stoppage time, but Macclesfield held out. Palace arrived in Cheshire with an injury-hit squad and without a win in eight games,"
"The club is the successor of Macclesfield Town, who were liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 because of huge debts. It was an emotional day for Macclesfield players, staff and fans - they have been mourning the death forward Ethan McLeod, who died on 16 December in a car accident while travelling back from their National League North match at Bedford Town."
Sixth-tier Macclesfield defeated FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 2-1 despite being 117 league places below, marking the largest shock by league position in FA Cup history. Paul Dawson scored a first-half header and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts added a second after the break, while Yeremy Pino reduced the deficit with a stoppage-time free-kick. Palace arrived in Cheshire with an injury-hit squad and without a win in eight games. The current iteration of Macclesfield only began playing in 2021-22 as the successor to Macclesfield Town, which was liquidated in 2020. Players, staff and fans marked an emotional day while mourning the death of forward Ethan McLeod.
Read at www.bbc.com
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