Analysis: Sloppy Bees scrape through

Brentford's visit to Moss Rose in this potentially hazardous tie was always going to be a case of get the job done and go home - and eventually that was the outcome.

This was not, however, an impressive performance, with the narrow scoreline barely reflecting the difference between the teams on the night.

Brentford were grateful to grab the gift of Sam Heathcote's own goal to see them through, but for an edgy period in the first half it looked like boss Keith Andrews might pay an embarrassing price for fielding a much-changed team.

The Bees were sloppy in possession and hurried out of their stride as Macclesfield Town applied pressure, but in the end Brentford came through, avoiding the sort of humbling defeat suffered by Crystal Palace.

It is victory, by whatever margin, that counts in the FA Cup - but Brentford and Andrews will not reflect on this night with any degree of satisfaction.