Macclesfield and Brackley produced a fantastic advert for The FA Cup as the pair played out a gripping tie at Moss Rose, with the Silkmen edging their Conference North guests 3-2.
A Jack Mackreth strike nine minutes from time proved the difference on the day, but only after the visitors had clawed back a two-goal deficit, and had looked to be on course for a replay until the 21-year-old midfielder broke Brackley hearts – and turned Macclesfield minds to thoughts of a plum Third Round draw.
As the drizzle eased up and the teams entered the fray, both sets of fans were showing their excitement.
Macclesfield Town 3-2 Brackley Town
The FA Cup Second Round Proper
Saturday 7 December 2013
Moss Rose, Macclesfield
The home crowd were voicing their support after a brilliant pre-match performance from the Silkmen's PA man, and buoyed by the beat of a drum, the visitors battled back to create a crescendo of noise inside the romantic setting of Moss Rose as the action got underway.
Macclesfield started on the attack, knowing a potential money-spinning Third Round tie could help secure the club's future.
Left-back Danny Andrew looked keen to play his part, embarking on an early surge forward wide into the area, but his fierce drive whistled over the crossbar.
Brackley celebrate dramatic equaliser
Not to be outdone, right-back Andy Halls was equally impressive in what was a strong opening for the hosts, drifting forward, winning several corners and whipping in a series of dangerous crosses.
However, it would be Andrew who would break the deadlock.
With 17 minutes on the clock Andrew powered through the Brackley defence once again, and unleashed an unstoppable drive from just inside the left hand corner of the box. Billy Turley in the Brackley goal was powerless as it whizzed low and hard into the far corner of the net.
After falling behind the visitors struggled to find their feet and found it difficult to get out of their half, as strikers Gary Mulligan and Steve Diggin dropped deeper to help stop the purge of Macclesfield attacks.
The frustration looked to be growing as manager Jon Brady became more animated within his technical area, prowling and barking out instructions as half-time approached.
The hosts continued to control possession, and had another chance just before the break as Carl Martin skewed a free header wide and Danny Rowe failed to find the target as they were unable to extend their advantage.
Brady had a big decision to make at the interval and with his side failing to pose any attacking threat, he had to decide whether to keep things as they were or change things and go for the jugular.
Some of Brackley's youngest fans enjoying their Cup experience
Shortly after the break Danny Whitaker saw a 25 yard effort brilliantly tipped round the post by Turley, but the Macclesfield attack would not be kept at bay for long.
On 49 minutes Danny Rowe was played down the left by Andrew and delivered a teasing cross that Scott Boden poked home from five yards as Brackley's hopes appeared to be fading.
Then came the change - Ben Mills and Owen Story were introduced and it looked to be an inspired substitution as the visitors bounced back with a goal within minutes.
As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the Macclesfield defence failed to clear a corner and the ball pinged around the six-yard box, and as keeper Rhys Taylor clawed the ball off the line, Steve Diggin pounced to fire home in front of the delirious travelling contingent - game on!
The game swung back and forth as both teams attacked, but sensing an equaliser, Brackley began to assume the upper hand.
Glenn Walker was denied from 30 yards by a fantastic save from Williams. Finally, on 71 minutes, the moment came.
The ball fell to Walker on the edge of the area, he skewed a volley that somehow found its way towards the lurking sub Story, and he crashed a volley under the crossbar to spark wild celebrations.
Macclesfield boss John Askey
Having now drawn level, Jon Brady's side were in the driving seat, but Macclesfield were not finished - as a moment of late drama secured their place in Sunday's Third Round draw.
With 81 minutes played Mackreth collected the ball and drifted effortlessly inside the area to send a low right-footed drive past the keeper and inside the far post.
A mixture of jubilation and relief swept around Moss Rose as the Conference side booked their place in the Third Round of football most famous cup competition.
Make sure you check TheFA.com on Monday to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at all the action in the latest Road to Wembley.
LINEUPS
Macclesfield Town: 1 Rhys Taylor, 3 Danny Andrew,, 4 Carl Martin, 6 Paul Turnbull (c), 7 Jack Mackreth, 8 Connor Jennings, 12 Steve Williams, 19 Scott Boden, 23 Danny Whitaker, 24 Danny Rowe (11 Peter Winn 77 mins, 2 Joe Connor) , 26 Andy Halls
Subs not used: 9 Chris Holroyd, 10 John Paul Kissock, 15 Paul Lewis, 20 Ritchie Branagan, 25 Scott Kay
Brackley Town: 1 Billy Turney, 2 Izak Reid, 3 Curtis McDonald (19 Nat Jarvis 87 mins), 4 Steve Towers, 5 Tom Sharpe, 6 Ryan Austin (c), 7 Elliot Sandy (14 Owen Story 53 mins), 8 Brett Solkhon, 9 Gary Mulligan (16 Ben Mills 53 mins), 10 Steve Diggin, 11 Glenn Walker
Subs not used: 12 Neil Cartwright, 15 Eddie Odhiambo,17 Alastair Worby, 18 Charlie Griffin,
