• FA Cup

Macclesfield shock Swindon in FA Cup

Met Police were beaten 2-1 by Crawley © PA Photos

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Non-league Macclesfield pulled off the biggest shock in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday, winning at League One high-flyers Swindon. The Silkmen were not the only non-league side to beat Football League teams with Chelmsford, Hereford and Harrogate also moving into the second round at the expense of so-called superior opposition.

Macclesfield are sixth in the Blue Square Bet Conference Premier, but that did not stop them downing Swindon 2-0 in the result of the day.

They took the lead in the 63rd minute through a stunning long-range strike from Tony Diagne, and things went from bad to worse for the Robins when moments later Aiden Flynn was sent off for the second time in four games when he was given a straight red card for a challenge on Macclesfield midfielder Sam Wedgebury.

The giant-killing over the team just outside the play-offs was sealed when Louis Thompson scored an own goal at the death.

Conference South team Chelmsford beat Colchester - 12th in League One - 3-1. The hosts went ahead against their local rivals when Anthony Cook fired home from distance in the 23rd minute and they moved closer to an upset when Donovan Simmonds headed into the net in the 63rd minute. Colchester pulled one back seven minutes later through Michael Rose's long-range free-kick but Jamie Slabber sealed victory late on.

Torquay had an unbeaten home record which had guided them to seventh in League Two but they went down 1-0 to Harrogate Town. Chib Chilaka scored the only goal after 20 minutes to send the Conference North side into the second round.

Hereford, 14th in the Conference Premier, provided the first shock of the day when they dumped out League One Shrewsbury 3-1 thanks to two goals by Ryan Bowman. Will Evans gave the hosts a third-minute lead, slotting Chris Todd's header into the bottom left of the goal. Hereford doubled their lead nine minutes later through Bowman's fierce shot, Luke Summerfield's free-kick halved the deficit on the half-hour but Bowman's second, a penalty, wrapped up victory.

Lincoln, 19th in the Conference Premier, were on the brink of an upset when they led League One Walsall 1-0 thanks to Jamie Taylor's strike in first-half injury-time. However, George Bowerman headed an equaliser three minutes from full-time in a 1-1 draw.

League Two Rotherham beat Stevenage, fourth in League One, 3-2. Mark Bradley (30) fired the Millers ahead with on-loan Lee Frecklington (53, 56) apparently putting the match out of Stevenage's reach. James Dunne pulled one back two minutes later with Filipe Morais making it 3-2 with a little under 20 minutes remaining but the South Yorkshire side held on.

League Two Chesterfield hammered League One basement side Hartlepool 6-1. Scott Boden (16), Mark Randall (29) and Craig Clay (42) gave the Spireites a 3-0 half-time lead. Terrell Forbes (54) made it four and while Antony Sweeney pulled one back (78), Jack Lester (79) and Craig Westcarr (90) rounded off a humiliation for the visitors.

Hendon, of the Isthmian League Premier Division, threatened an upset when they went ahead at League Two strugglers Aldershot, plumber Dean Cracknell firing an unstoppable volley (28). However, Danny Hylton levelled 13 minutes after the break before he powered home a late winner for a 2-1 win.

Sheffield United were the highest-ranked team playing but the team second in League One were given a scare when David Clarkson took advantage of some slack Blades defending to put Bristol Rovers ahead in the fifth minute. However, Nick Blackman equalised eight minutes after the break with an unstoppable shot across the keeper and Chris Porter won the game nine minutes later in a 2-1 triumph.

Crawley won 2-1 at the Met Police. Josh Simpson (36) and Billy Clarke (69) put the visitors 2-0 up and although Alan Tait pulled one back (83), the Isthmian Premier League side could not nick an equaliser.

League Two high-flyers Port Vale survived a comeback at Forest Green when the Conference Premier Division side hit back from two goals down to pull level at 2-2. Ben Williamson restored the league side's lead against the run of play 10 minutes from time to give them a 3-2 victory.

League Two leaders Gillingham hammered League One strugglers Scunthorpe 4-0. There were also wins for League One sides Doncaster, Notts County, Bournemouth, Brentford, Carlisle, Oldham, Crewe, Coventry, Preston and Bury.

Cheltenham, third in League Two, despatched Yate Town, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, 3-0. League Two trio Fleetwood, Oxford and Accrington all made it through as did Hastings United and Alfreton from all non-league ties.

There will be replays for York against Wimbledon, Morecambe v Rochdale and Northampton v Bradford. Guiseley and Barrow will meet again as will Luton and Nuneaton and Mansfield v Slough in all non-league ties.

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