Brentford are to face West Ham United in the fifth round of the FA Cup after dispatching Macclesfield 1-0 on Monday, an own-goal ending the fairy-tale run of the sixth-tier giantkillers.
The Macclesfield part-timers knocked out holders Crystal Palace in the last round and were hailed for pulling off one of the greatest shocks in the competition’s long history, but they could not match Brentford, who progressed thanks to a 70th-minute own-goal from Sam Heathcote.
The big defender dived to cut out a cross from Aaron Hickey, but instead diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper.
It was a cruel denouement for Macclesfield, which held the Premier League club throughout an even first half before tiring in the second 45 minutes.
“I couldn’t be any prouder,” Macclesfield head coach John Rooney told TNT Sports. “The lads were outstanding and the shape was really good. We train two times a week and we’ve put that performance on against a Premier League side.”
The fifth-round tie is to take place at West Ham’s London Stadium on the weekend of March 7 and 8.
“Credit to Macclesfield,” Brentford captain Nathan Collins said. “They made it extremely hard for us. They put up a great fight.”
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