A HISTORIC day for East Thurrock United ended sadly as League Two’s Macclesfield Town broke down the Rocks to win 3-0 at Rookery Hill in the FA Cup First Round.

Despite this, the Ryman Premier side will know they gave a team 78 places above them in the Football League pyramid a scare in front of 1,207 fans.

East Thurrock were the better team in the first half as Macclesfield struggled to stay on their feet, let alon stick with their plan to play the ball on the ground.

Chances came for Rocks as they kept men back and counter-attacked by pumping long passes upfront.

Their best opportunity came in the 27th minute when a dodgy backpass from the Silkmen’s skipper Nat Brown left goalkeeper Jose Veiga in trouble and only able to squirt the ball out to Rocks’ midfielder Reiss Gilbey.

From 20 yards out, the Sport and Exercise Science student, who travels from the University of Brighton for every match, tried chipping the ball in as Veiga scrambled back, but his effort went over.

Disaster struck though two minutes before half time controversially as, against the run of play, Macclesfield left back Carl Tremarco scored.

The referee failed to spot a handball by George Donnelly in the build up, something Rock’s boss John Coventry later revealed an opponent confirmed to him after the match.

The second half started well for East Thurrock as winger Sam Collins had a decent shot saved.

But in the 61st minute, a strong run down the left by Macclesfield’s Colin Daniel found Ross Draper’s dipping shot being pushed on to the bar by Richard Wray before substitute Matthew Hamshaw followed up to double the lead.

The game was killed off four minutes later as Donnelly scored to make it 3-0.

Coventry admitted Macclesfield’s ability to take their chance was crucial.

He went on to say everyone at the club should be happy with themselves despite the loss.

Coventry said: “By tomorrow it will be about pride, not just for players but for all the backroom staff as well after putting on a game like this, this was their cup final.”