“I really couldn’t be prouder of the team. For us to go toe-to-toe with two Premier League teams and to only lose by an own goal is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“All the lads are down and Sam’s the same obviously, having scored an own goal. It’s natural, but every player knows what they have achieved for this club on this journey, so we should all be so proud.
“We now go back to our bread and butter in the league. We train twice a week and we’ve put that performance on against a Premier League side. How can you not be proud of that achievement?
“I started my football career at this club and I’ve started my managerial career at this club. We want to go on and get promoted. We want to try and get in the play-offs.”
Macclesfield’s fans arrived in a blizzard of optimism, the rainbow that arced over this compact, atmospheric stadium after a storm two hours before kick-off offering up an omen that they could claim another pot of gold.
And how they revelled in another visit from a Premier League team, chanting “West Ham away” after hearing the fifth round draw, then “are you Palace in disguise” as they tore into Brentford – both physically and with their football – in the opening exchanges.
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson, a goal hero in the 2-1 win against Palace, was inches away from a repeat with a 20-yard shot that was just off target.
Every classic FA Cup ingredient was in this mix. The non-league side with a collection of PE teachers, podcasters and property developers in their squad shaking up elite opposition, with the added factor of Moss Rose’s 4G artificial surface.
There was nothing artificial about the atmosphere as every Macclesfield fan scented another shock in the cold night air.
Few other competitions can offer up such a spectacle and the FA Cup delivered again.
In some respects, the half-time whistle came at a bad time for Macclesfield as it disturbed their momentum and allowed Brentford to take a breath and regroup.
Brentford head coach Andrews made seven changes, leaving his big attacking weapon Igor Thiago out altogether. It was a high-risk strategy and there were moments in the first 45 minutes when it looked like it might backfire.
And even after suffering the devastating blow of Heathcote’s own goal, Macclesfield refused to allow Brentford to simply shut the game down, forcing several desperate clearances in the area before referee Darren England sounded the final whistle on this FA Cup odyssey.
Macclesfield will now return to their real world against King’s Lynn Town on Saturday – but they have created FA Cup memories that will live forever with players and fans of a club on the rise.
