Slough Town's players left crestfallen after FA Cup heartbreak against Macclesfield

A dejected Wiktor Makowski admitted there were tears at full-time as Slough Town missed out on a potentially life-changing spot in the FA Cup third round.

The Rebels played their part in a pulsating cup tie against Macclesfield which saw both sides vying to make history by reaching the third-round draw for the first time.

A penalty apiece sent the game into extra time but 10-man Slough’s hopes of taking the tie to penalties were crushed when Macclesfield’s James Edmonson bent a magnificent strike into the top corner.

Roared on by a packed-out Arbour Park – the Rebels continued to push and could have levelled when Reiss Greenidge unleashed a fierce strike.

But Silkmen stopper Max Dearnley palmed it away and then expertly reacted to keep out substitute Peter Ojemen’s follow-up.

By this time Macclesfield had also been reduced to 10 following a nasty looking injury for Brandon Lee who had to be stretchered from the field of play.

But Regan Griffiths sent the travelling 600 Macclesfield supporters delirious as he arrowed past Adam Desbois deep into injury time – leaving the Slough players utterly crestfallen.

Makowksi told the Express at full-time: “You can see the emotions are very high. A lot of the boys were crying because it meant so much to us.

“The game goes to extra-time and it favours them a little bit.

“At the same time, we had Peter’s chance in the second half of extra-time and we could’ve drawn the game 2-2, go to penalties and then whoever wins wins.”

Makowski showed real composure to claw the Rebels back into the tie as he converted an 86th minute penalty following a trip on Harvey Walker.

The sold-out Arbour Park fell silent as the 23-year-old stepped up to take his spot-kick but the stadium soon erupted as he ball nestled low into the net.

“When the ref gave the penalty, I knew it was my chance to score and get us back in the game,” Makowski said.

“When the ref blew the whistle, the entire stadium just went silent and then it’s just you and the goalkeeper.

“If he dives the right way he saves it, if he dives the wrong way he doesn’t. Luckily for me he went the wrong way.

“When the ball went into the back of the net, everyone was screaming and happy. You give the fans a bit of hope but then I got the chance in the 90th minute and I just had to score."

Buoyed by their equaliser, it was Slough, reduced to 10 men through the second-half dismissal of Kiki Oshilaja, who looked the likelier of snatching a dramatic winner.

But Makowski was left to rue his missed opportunity when a teasing low cross from Harvey Walker deep into second-half stoppage time just evaded his outstretched foot.

“I just misjudged the height of the ball. It was an absolutely unbelievable pass from Harvey (Walker) pinpoint, right to my foot.

“I missed it and it’s my fault. We should have won today.

“This is the FA Cup. You only get one chance and we don’t get to turn up on Tuesday and have another fixture against them I’m gutted.”

While Macclesfield will now take their place in the FA Cup third round draw and a potentially life-changing tie against Premier League opposition, Slough will be left to ponder what might have been.

But Makowski said the squad could still take pride from what has been a memorable run in football’s oldest cup competition.

“There’s disappointment but at the same time I’m so happy for the club, the volunteers and the fans that we gave them something to cheer for.

“I’m just disappointed we couldn’t get it over the line.”