MARINE’S FA Cup run ended at Moss Rose on Saturday, Macclesfield Town running out 3-1 fourth qualifying round winners in controversial circumstances. Manager Kevin Lynch was quoted in the press as not wanting his players to have any regrets as they came off the pitch, and to a man they heeded his words, giving their absolute all for the cause backed by a vociferous 235 strong travelling support. In the cold light of day 3-1 to the Blue Square Premier Division hosts was a fair reflection of the balance of play and chances over the 90 minutes, but the Marine camp were incandescent with the award of a 41st minute penalty for handball against Danny Grannon, which changed the balance of the tie which had been pretty even at that point. The unfortunate Grannon was penalised for an offence which was debatable as to whether it was deliberate, but in any event occurred a good yard outside the area with the popular centre back needing the limbs of stretch Armstrong for it to be a penalty. Sadly the assistant, to the amazement of everyone in the stadium, flagged for a spot kick for a frankly dreadful decision, Matthew Barnes-Homer accepting the gift by blasting the ball home from 12 yards. That undoubtedly unsettled the Mariners with Barnes-Homer missing a great chance just before the break, firing across goal when in plenty of space on the left of the box. Until the game had exploded into controversy there had been few clear scoring chances, Robbie Lawton – excellent throughout – firing over the top following a corner, Andy Fowler’s good run ending with a shot wide of the far post with Shaun Dowling’s rising drive making Lance Cronin catch the ball under his crossbar. The Silkmen had efforts from distance too, Barnes-Homer having a shot which clipped the side netting and Chris Holroyd’s free kick whistling wide of Callum Williams’ near post. Anthony McNamee collected a loose ball 40 yards out to attempt to chip Williams, the keeper racing back to claim the ball as it headed towards goal. Macc’s best chance had fallen to Barnes-Homer, his follow up from John Paul Kissock’s shot after Williams had parried being saved again by the gloveman with Holroyd having a further effort blocked. The early stages of the second half saw Lawton put in a testing cross, Grannon getting on the end of it to head over the bar with Holroyd replying at the other end, Dowling producing a great block to deny a certain goal. Fowler went on a trademark direct run in to the box as the Mariners searched for an equaliser, his drive rippling the side netting. Town put themselves firmly in control of the tie after 63 minutes, a deep cross from the right finding Barnes-Homer again to notch his second goal of the game from close range. McNamee smashed a good opening over the top for the home side before Williams produced an excellent stop to keep out Holroyd’s powerful drive, going full stretch to tip the ball over the bar. The Mariners were back in the tie with 85 minutes on the watch, John Shaw’s well flighted cross from the left being met with a perfectly timed leap from Marcus Carver, the young striker directing a fantastic header in to the bottom corner to the delight of the Marine fans. Game on at that point but the Mariners succumbed to a classic counter attack in the 89th minute, another cross from the right being met by the head of substitute Amari Morgan-Smith to kill the tie for the Silkmen. The vanquished Mariners paid tribute to the magnificent backing from the fans in time honoured fashion at the end of the game, receiving a standing ovation as they took their leave from the world’s oldest Cup competition. l Macclesfield Town: Lance Cronin, Ryan Jackson, Carl Martin, Pablo Mills, Craig Braham-Barrett, Keiran Murtagh, Sam Wedgbury, John Paul Kissock (Waide Fairhurst 90), Anthony McNamee, Chris Holroyd (Amari Morgan-Smith 80), Matthew Barnes-Homer (Junior Yiadom 67). Unused subs: Tony Diagne, Charlie Henry, Jack Mackreth, Ben Mills. Cautions: Wedgbury. l Marine: Callum Williams, Shaun Dowling, John Shaw, Matty Brown (Cap), Danny Grannon, Robbie Lawton, Andy Fowler (Matty Devine 85), Alan Burton, Marcus Carver, Nick Rogan (Karl Noon 73), Thomas Moore (Liam Rice 45). Unused subs: Michael Ordish, Liam Dawson, Paul Jones. Cautions: Grannon, Burton, Carver, Moore. l Referee: Mr. B. Toner. l Attendance: 1189. | 
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