Macclesfield will take on Premier League opposition in their historic FA Cup fourth-round clash later this month.

The Silkmen will entertain Roberto Martinez’s Wigan after Latics beat Bournemouth 1-0 at Dean Court last night to set up a north-west derby against Steve King’s men.

News of a money-spinning cup clash provided a silver lining for Macc after last night’s league defeat at Dartford, where their four-game unbeaten run came to an end.

The Silkmen had won three of their previous four matches – including their heroic FA Cup third-round victory over Cardiff City – and were looking to close the gap between themselves and the play-off chasing pack.

Instead, the hosts – themselves harbouring hopes of gate-crashing the top five places – picked up the three points thanks to goals from Jon Wallis and Lee Noble.

The visitors enjoyed their fair share of possession and bossed much of the game at Princes Park but they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. In the end, they could have few complaints with the result.

The home side took the lead against the run of play on 13 minutes. Lance Cronin’s sloppy kick landed at the feet of Wallis, who lofted a precise shot into the vacant net from all of 40 yards.

Harry Crawford, Dartford’s leading scorer, stung Cronin’s palms with a shot moments later as Macclesfield were rocked back on their heels.

Towards the end of the half, though, King’s side began to monopolise possession again.

Wade Fairhurst fizzed a shot just wide from the right-hand side of the box, while Richard Rose was off-target with a dipping volley at the other end.

After the restart, Town came agonisingly close to a leveller when Kieran Murtagh got his head to a dangerous Peter Winn free-kick.

A Pablo Mills header aside, their influence began to wane and Dartford substitute Noble scored with his first touch to put the result beyond doubt.

MACCLESFIELD: Cronin, Braham-Barrett, Brown, Winn, Mackreth, Wedgbury, Murtagh, Henry (Diagne 69), Morgan-Smith (Payne 80), Fairhurst. Subs not used: Konadu-Yiadom, Auoel, Gnahoha.

Attendance: 821.