Former Wycombe Wanderers striker D’Mani Mellor played a vital role as his current club, Macclesfield, pulled off one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history.
The 25-year-old, who spent two years with the Chairboys between 2022 and 2024, featured for nearly the entirety of the Silkmen’s 2-1 third round victory over the reigning champions, Crystal Palace.
The forward made his presence known in the cup tie at Moss Rose, causing the Eagles numerous problems as the result broke several records.
It was the first time since 1909 that the current holders of the FA Cup had been eliminated by a Non League side, when Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Crystal Palace in the first round.
Additionally, it is the largest upset in competition’s history in terms of league ranking (117 places between the two teams), and it was the first time that a sixth-tier team had beaten a Premier League outfit since the latter’s formation in 1992.
In terms of action, captain Paul Dawson headed Macclesfield in front two minutes before half-time.
They got their second when Mellor caused numerous problems in the box, which allowed Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to double the lead on the hour.
Yeremy Pino’s 90th-minute free-kick set up a nervy finish through six minutes of time added on, but eight months after lifting the FA Cup to win their first major trophy, Palace surrendered it with a tame performance as Macclesfield fans poured on to the pitch to celebrate a famous victory.
It was a day of celebration for the Silkmen, who reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, as they continue to mourn the loss of their forward, 21-year-old Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident as he returned from their match at Bedford Town on December 16.
During his time at Wycombe, Mellor played 13 times and scored once.
That strike came in a 2-1 win away at Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2022.
He failed to set the world alight in South Buckinghamshire, as he was sent out on loan on three occasions – once at Sutton United, and twice at Rochdale.
After leaving Adams Park in 2024, he joined Gateshead that August but left without making a first-team appearance for the North East side, and he joined Macclesfield a few weeks later.
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