Colin Daniel ended the afternoon with a range of emotions – the overriding one of disappointment that Macclesfield hadn’t seen out a famous FA Cup shock.

The midfielder scored Macc’s first goal to level the match but his fine team goal has been overshadowed by Arnaud Mendy’s stunning solo effort.

And Daniel consoled himself with the knowledge that, for the first time, Macc were in the fourth-round draw, where they learned that, should they pull off a victory in their third game of the season against the top-flight side, they’ll host Swansea City.

"We’re disappointed we didn’t get the win," he said.

"I don’t think it was a foul in the first place for their goal and I think we probably had the chances to nick it. However it’s good that we’re in the draw for the fourth round.

"It’s 50-50 really whether he (goalscorer David Wheater) should have been on the field after a late challenge on Hammy (Matt Hamshaw).

"There was a covering defender but it’s how the referee feels on the day and it’s unlucky that he got their goal.

"I think the days are gone when Hammy’s pace would have got him there but he does have the quality to get beyond any defender and I’m confident, if he’d got one-on-one with the keeper, he would have put it away."

Before a packed Moss Rose, the blistering pace of Daniel caught the eye of Five Live’s Mark Lawrenson, who revelled in his pace and determination on the ball, and the 23-year-old revealed that boss Gary Simpson had urged them to leave no reserve of energy untapped against the top-flight strugglers.

"The manager said before the game that we won’t often get opportunities like this to get the club into the fourth round but we’re happy enough to get the draw and be in the draw," added the former Crewe trainee.

"We’re used to how the pitches are at this time of year, a lot of League Two pitches are the same and we were told to go out and enjoy it so there was no point in holding back.

"I was disappointed with myself for not taking the first opportunity I had but I was happy to get on the score sheet, I’ve not gone one for a long time. It was a really good ball by George (Donnelly), Hammy left it and I got to put it away.

"We need to pick up a few points in the league now, keep on going to push on and get as high as we can for the finish.

"It’s never easy when you’re up against Premier League quality but we did well at their place when we played there last time, it will be different this time but we can go there and give a good account for ourselves."

And the hero of the hour, Daniel’s fellow goalscorer Mendy, resisted the temptation to claim that, in training, he nets crackers like his 63rd minute wonder strike week in, week out.

"It was a lucky goal," he said. "I don’t score many but as soon as I hit it I knew it was going in.

"It was difficult, it was hard work. The pitch was okay for me, I feel better and feel fitter now that I am in the team."

Always tipped to shine in the second half of the season by Simpson, Mendy added: "I am happy, I am working hard and that is paying off now.

"You never know if we will win there, we are going there to win but first we have to get points against Torquay on Saturday."