WATCH the FA Cup LIVE on beIN SPORTS in New Zealand | Sign up to take advantage of our 7-day FREE TRIAL here

Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored the all-important goals for the non-League side, which held on during a nervy finish after Yeremy Pino’s 90th-minute free-kick to win 2-1.

Macclesfield became the first non-League team to eliminate the defending champion since Palace knocked out Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1908-1909 first round.

It is also the first non-League team to score twice in an FA Cup game against the holder since Runcorn versus Preston North End in 1939.

It will go down as one of the all-time biggest upsets in the competition's history, given the 117 places that separate the teams in the English football pyramid, and Rooney, younger brother of England and Manchetser United great Wayne, expressed his pride in Macclesfield.

"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," he said.

"We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads.

"I couldn't have asked any more of them, and you can see the joy in them."

Dawson has been involved in three goals in his two appearances in the FA Cup proper – two goals and one assist.

His opening goal in this match saw him become the first non-League player to score in the competition against the holder since Rocky Baptiste for Farnborough Town against Arsenal in 2003.

"Dawson is one of them; he is unbelievable in the air," Rooney said of his captain.

"He scores goals from the field and can play centre half; he puts his head where his goals are. He has that passion, and sometimes we have to rein him in a bit, but he was incredible. He is a class clown.

"I didn't think it was possible, but there is that little bit of hope that anything can happen on the day."

Dawson himself echoed Rooney’s pride in the team for pulling off the shocking result.

"I am very happy but very tired," he said. "I felt like we kept our shape really well, and they didn't make very much.

"I was surprised [with the win] like I said before, the gaffer gave us a game plan, and we all stuck to it and got where we wanted to be.

"I was very calm coming into it and on the pitch. I do get in a few of them head-to-heads each week, so this head isn't going to get that hurt.

"Macclesfield means the world to me. It's an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It's a really big community club."