A TWO-GOAL blast from Lee Trundle sent Macclesfield Town crashing out of the FA Cup and left Silkmen boss John Askey feeling sick to his stomach.
On a dreadful day at the Vetch Field, Askey's inexperienced side had battled hard for over an hour to get back into the game with Matty Tipton's 12th goal of the season. But when Trundle fired a sublime free-kick five minutes later - Macc were destined to leave Wales empty-handed. To compound their misery, centre-half Steve Macauley was harshly sent-off on the stroke of full time for two bookable offences.
"I'm feeling a bit sick," admitted Askey after the game, "I thought we played well, put in a lot of effort and played some good football. I think we deserved to get something out of the game - it would have been nice to have been in the draw for the Fourth Round."
A large crowd of 8,112 gathered at the Vetch Field, their mood buoyed by the fact that Welsh rivals Cardiff City had been knocked out of the cup by Sheffield United at lunchtime. A loyal band of Macc fans were also in good voice after making the trip to the coast. Macclesfield boss Askey knew he would be forced to make changes from the side which drew against Mansfield Town, but when George Abbey did not show in time after training with Nigeria in Portugal - youngster Michael Carr was drafted into the starting line-up at full-back. Matt Haddrell and Steve Macauley also featured in a new-look back four.
The game began at full speed with the dangerous Trundle and former West Ham trainee Leon Britton keeping the Silkmen on their toes. Macc's first opportunity came from Colin Little on 22 minutes, but - leaning back - he sent a shot flying over the bar from 10 yards after good work from Tipton.
Trundle fired another warning shot across the boughs minutes later after turning Haddrell on the right touchline and forcing Steve Wilson into the first of a string of fine saves within a 10-minute period. The former Crewe man was called on once again had to rush off his line to stifle James Thomas' dangerous run before beating away a 25-yard shot from Andy Robinson.
Just when it looked as if Macclesfield had weathered the storm, Trundle hit a hammer blow for Swansea with seconds remaining in the half. A cross from Richard Duffy was knocked into the path of the former Wrexham hitman and although the ball appeared to strike his arm, he made no mistake from six yards. Macauley was given a yellow card for his protests.
The Silkmen came out for the second half in determined mood - no more so than Colin Little, who could have laid claim to goal of the season if his volley from 40 yards had beaten Roger Freestone, who scrambled the ball wide.
At the other end, Wilson made another double save from Britton and Kevin Nugent before Macc finally got themselves back on level terms. Chris Priest produced a great measured pass through to the pacy Tipton, who wriggled free of Izzy Iriekpen before firing past Freestone for the equaliser.
It was no more than the Silkmen deserved - but thoughts that they had done enough to earn a replay were quickly dismissed as first Wilson, then Matt Haddrell were needed to make last-ditch saves when Trundle found himself clean through. In truth, the striker's reluctance to use his right foot probably cost Swansea a second goal.
Danny Adams headed just over the bar before Trundle broke Macc hearts yet again with a superb curling free-kick from the edge of the box which beat Wilson inside his left-hand post.
Macclesfield threw everything forward and brought on John Miles for Martin Carruthers. Little had the best opportunity to force a replay when his speculative volley hit the top of the bar in the dying minutes, but fate was very much on the side of the Welshmen.
Macauley's rash challenge in the last minute of extra time earned a second yellow card, and capped off a bad day at the office for Askey's young side.
