John Askey capped a one-club career with a fairytale goal against rivals Rochdale.
However, though it was a glorious day for the Silkman veteran, it left the axe hanging over Rochdale boss Paul Simpson's neck.
A beleaguered Simpson said: "It summed up our season. We should have nailed the game at 2-1. There is so much I could say, but what's the point now it's all over.
"I would like the board to make an immediate decision about my future. I want to get the players in on Tuesday to tell them who's in and who's out, but I don't even know my own fate." With 88 minutes gone Askey, at the age of 38, was first to react when Matthew Gilks spilled a powerful Matthew Tipton drive.
And Tipton was to have the final say, curling a 25-yard drive inches inside the far post deep in injury time.
Macclesfield manager David Moss said: "That sums up our season. A real roller coaster ride. I only wish Askey was 28 and not 38 because he would be a great player for me." The first half was a tale of two penalties, Danny Whitaker fluffing his second successive spot kick for the Cheshire side before Lee McEvilly drilled home his penalty in the 36th minute.
Macclesfield got on level terms moments after the break through a bizarre own goal, Darren Hockenhull only succeeding in toe-poking the ball past his own keeper when he tried to tackle the advancing John Miles.
Stephen Hill appeared to have secured all three points for Dale with a 70th minute strike as he pounced on a slip by George Abbey, but few could have foreseen the memorable Askey climax.