Macclesfield delivered one of the FA Cup's most astonishing results on January 10, as the semi-professional side knocked out holders Crystal Palace in a historic shock that will be remembered for generations.

The hosts, 117 league places below the Premier League team, defied all expectations as the gap on paper vanished on the pitch, with Macclesfield producing a disciplined and determined display from start to finish.

Palace, who themselves shocked Manchester City to lift the FA Cup last May, dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances, continuing a worrying nine-game winless run, despite a mixture of youth and experience on the field.

Paul Dawson opened the scoring with a towering first-half header for the hosts, sending fans into euphoria, before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the advantage after halftime, reacting quickly to a deflected effort in the box.

Yeremy Pino gave Palace a glimmer of hope with a stoppage-time free-kick, expertly curled over the wall, but the home side's resilience held firm to secure a historic victory and spark pitch invasions from delighted fans.

Teenager Joel Drakes-Thomas, just 16, should have given Palace the lead in the first half, missing a close-range header from a Kaden Rodney cross, while Christantus Uche's effort flew just over the bar.

Luke Duffy's pinpoint delivery set up Dawson's iconic header, while Palace manager Oliver Glasner introduced Premier League experience in Tyrick Mitchell, Johnson, and Will Hughes, but the visitors remained rattled.

Buckley-Rickets' reaction finish reinforced Macclesfield's determination, as the sixth-tier side proved that courage, belief, and cohesion can overcome any hierarchical gap in English football.

The significance of the win resonates beyond the pitch: Macclesfield Town folded in 2020, but phoenix club founders Robert Smethurst and former player Robbie Savage rebuilt from the ninth tier, earning three promotions in four seasons.

"I can't believe it. Or get my head around it. I'm lost for words at the minute," Rooney said after the game. "You can see the joy in them out there.

"I didn't think it was possible but there is that little bit of hope that anything can happen on the day."

The victory also honored late forward Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident in December, with the players dedicating their effort and historic triumph to his memory, adding emotional weight to the win.

Crystal Palace manager reacts to shocking FA Cup loss

This defeat joins the pantheon of FA Cup upsets, echoing Hereford over Newcastle in 1972, Blyth Spartans against Stoke in 1978, and Warrington Town over Exeter City in 2014, cementing Macclesfield's place in cup folklore.

Glasner admitted his team "deserved to lose" after fielding six changes, including internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, acknowledging Macclesfield's superior performance on the day.

"You don't need tactics in these kinds of games," Glasner said. "You just have to show what you're capable of, and show a little bit of pride and you'll perform in a different way.

"But today we lacked everything."