MACCLESFIELD FC 2, CHESTER FC 1
Luke Duffy whipped off his shirt as he wheeled away in celebration after scoring a dramatic 98th minute winner for Macclesfield FC in their Enterprise National League North play-off eliminator.
It sparked frenzied celebrations from home fans and despair for visitors after this extraordinary match seemed certain to be heading to extra time when Duffy found the net direct from a corner at the near post with a little help from visiting keeper Bobby Jones who helped the ball into the net.
And Macc were left to reflect on another magical night in this memorable season which saw them defeat Premier League Crystal Palace in one of the greatest Emirates FA Cup giantkilling upsets of all time.
This was equally dramatic as they came from behind against the Seals, their bogey team, to set up a mouth-watering semi-final at third-placed Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.
“To be the best, you have beat the best if you are to win promotion,” declared Silkman captain Paul Dawson who was back after missing the last three league games – he was on 14 yellow cards and one away from a ban.
Dawson praised the resilience of his team after they fell behind to a goal from Connor Woods late in the opening half.
The Seals must have been confident having completed a league double over Macc who had not scored in those two matches.
Macc hauled themselves back into the match with a goal from Oldham Athletic loanee Josh Kay midway through the second half before Duffy, a former ABA junior boxing champion, landed the knockout blow.
Dawson said: “The boys showed immense character coming from 1-0 down at half time to win the game in the 98th minute.
“Chester are a good side. You have to take your chances when they come which we didn’t do in the first half when they caught us on the counter against the run of play and scored.
“They are a good side defensively and it is tough to score against them as they don’t concede many goals. I delighted.”
Dawson did not read too much into losing both league games against Chester saying they didn’t turn up each time.
“We weren’t good enough in those games. We didn’t turn up, but tonight we did. We were patient and found more spaces in the second half as they tired,” he added.
And on their prospects against Kidderminster, Dawson said: “They are a really good side, but we beat them at home and drew away – we will go there expecting to win.”
Macc finished the league season in fourth place, but on a slide after losing three of their final four league games.
The Seals, by contrast, had finished with five wins and a last day draw from their last six matches as the momentum seemed with them after they claimed the last play-off spot.
Macc manager John Rooney caused a surprise by playing without a recognised striker as Kay was pushed forward into that role – he would later be named player of the match which underlined just how well he did as a stop-gap front man.
The Silkmen began brightly as Duffy had an early shot well kept out by the boot of keeper Jones while James Edmondson glanced a header wide from in front of goal when he ought to have hit the target.
But it was Woods who broke the stalemate in the 36th minute somehow managing to wriggle free on the right and firing a low shot across the face of goal into the far corner, his ninth goal of the season, which was celebrated by a spectacular back flip.
Macc started the second half on the front foot as Duffy cut in from the left and saw his effort drift wide.
But they eventually equalised in the 66th minute when Kay got in front of his marker at the near post to fire a low cross from the right into the roof of the net.
There was a stoppage after the goal after Macc keeper Rogan Ravenhill was pelted with coins by visiting fans behind the goal with the stopper needing treatment.
Macc now had the bit firmly between their teeth as they pressed for a winner and the Seals were forced on to the retreat.
Kay headed on to Edmondson whose fierce drive flew straight to Jones.
Former Manchester United player Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – remember he is a central defender – hit an incredible effort from 30 plus yards which dipped and struck the bar.
It was struck with such venom it rebounded almost the same distance to Edmondson whose drive cleared the bar by inches.
There were eight added minutes caused by the coin pelting and also injury shenangigans, including keeper Jones needing treatment.
Dawson’s 25-yard drive fizzed just over as it looked as though there would be an extra 30 minutes until Duffy had the last word of another never-to-be-forgotten night at the Leasing.com Stadium.