Article #241867

The standing ovation from the Macclesfield fans at full time was deserved. Their side may have lost 1-0 on the night, their dream FA Cup run coming to an end just when a lucrative trip to West Ham’s ­London Stadium in the fifth round had veered into sight, but pride was the ­overriding emotion.

Ultimately it had taken an ­unfortunate own goal from Sam Heathcote, a PE teacher plying his trade as a part-time footballer in the National League North, to nudge ­Premier League Brentford into the fifth round.