Lancaster's Paul Dawson leads Macclesfield to biggest upset in FA Cup history against Crystal Palace

A Lancaster-born midfielder played his part in the biggest ever FA Cup upset this weekend.

Midfielder Paul Dawson captained National League North side Macclesfield in their 2-1 win over Premier League outfit and FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the third round on Saturday afternoon.

The local lad also bagged their first goal of the game amid emotional scenes in the match televised live on the BBC.

Dawson headed powerfully from a Luke Duffy free kick to give Macclesfield the lead with two minutes to go until half time.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts made it two on the hour mark, before Crystal Palace’s Yéremy Pino halved the deficit just before added time, during which Macclesfield defended expertly to reach the fourth round. 

Dawson’s performance is even more impressive as he suffered a collision in the very early stages of the game, inadvertently banging heads with Palace defender Jaydee Canvot and needing to wear a bandage for the remainder of the tie. 

It was statistically the biggest ever upset in the competition’s history as the Silkmen progressed in a clash between two sides who were five tiers - and 117 places in the English football pyramid - apart.

Macclesfield were founded in 2020 as a phoenix club to the liquidated Macclesfield Town.

They were previously managed by Robbie Savage, a key figure in the club’s formation who departed in July 2025 to become manager of National League side Forest Green.

John Rooney, who began and ended his senior playing career in Macclesfield and is the brother of England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, is now in charge of the club. 

Dawson began his career at Morecambe’s academy, before moving to Kendal Town and later Bamber Bridge. 

In January 2019, he made the move to hometown club Lancaster City.

He stayed with the Dolly Blues for nearly three years before returning to Bamber Bridge in November 2021.

Macclesfield snapped Dawson up in the summer of 2023 as they looked to secure three consecutive promotions, having climbed from the North West Counties Premier Division to Lancaster’s NPL Premier Division in two seasons.

Their search for another promotion was prolonged for another year, though, as they lost in the NPL Premier Division playoff final to Marine in 2024. 

However, they went up as champions of the league in 2024/25 and now occupy 14th place in the National League North.

They had achieved plenty of success prior to Saturday, but booking a place in the fourth round of the world’s biggest domestic cup competition after beating a Premier League side, however, surely ranks high in their short history and Paul Dawson’s career.

“I am very happy but very tired," said Dawson to the BBC after the game.

"I felt like we kept our shape really well and they didn't make very much.

"I was surprised (with the win) like I said before, the gaffer gave us a game plan and we all stuck to it and got where we wanted to be.”

"I was very calm coming into it and on the pitch. I do get in a few of them head-to-heads each week, so this head isn't going to get that hurt.”

"Macclesfield means the world to me. It's an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It's a really big community club."