Brentford edge past non-league Macclesfield after second-half own goal

Macclesfield’s FA Cup dream was dashed in cruel fashion as Brentford survived a scare to win the fourth-round tie at Moss Rose.

The sixth-tier Silkmen – who stunned holders Crystal Palace in the third round – produced another magnificent display and more than held their own for long periods against the side sitting seventh in the Premier League.

And it took a desperate moment for the Bees to break the deadlock with 20 minutes left, when Macclesfield defender Sam Heathcote headed into his own net from Aaron Hickey’s cross.

It was brutal on the PE teacher and Macclesfield, who were more dangerous in the first half against slipshod Brentford, with manager Keith Andrews making seven changes and leaving big guns including Igor Thiago at home.

Macclesfield had made light of the 116 places between the teams in the football pyramid, but in the end the side in seventh place in the National League North were betrayed by tiring legs and a moment of bad luck.

Brentford will now travel to West Ham United in the fifth round.

Macclesfield were out to prove lightning could strike twice as they aimed to inflict the same embarrassment on Premier League high-fliers Brentford as they had on holders Palace.

And for the first half at least, John Rooney’s side looked like they might produce another classic FA Cup giant-killing as they were the more cohesive, energetic team and posed far more threat than their illustrious opponents.

Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson, a goal hero against Palace, held his head in anguish as his 20-yard drive flew just wide, while Luke Duffy was also left frustrated as he fired over from a promising position on the edge of the area.

Brentford were slightly better after the break while Macclesfield’s first-half exertions inevitably took their toll.

It still took that inadvertent intervention from Heathcote to settle this tight tie, and even after going a goal down and clearly exhausted, Macclesfield still gave Brentford anxious moments before receiving a rousing ovation on the final whistle.

This was defeat for Macclesfield – but defeat with great pride.

Brentford’s visit to Moss Rose in this potentially hazardous tie was always going to be a case of get the job done and go home – and eventually that was the outcome.

This was not, however, an impressive performance with the narrow scoreline barely reflecting the difference between the teams on the night.

Brentford were grateful to grab the gift of Heathcote’s own goal to see them through, but for an edgy period in the first half it looked like boss Andrews might pay an embarrassing price for fielding a much-changed team.

The Bees were sloppy in possession and hurried out of their stride as Macclesfield applied pressure, but in the end Brentford came through, avoiding the sort of humbling defeat suffered by Palace.

It is victory, by whatever margin, that counts in the FA Cup – but Brentford and Andrews will not reflect on this night with any degree of satisfaction.