Howard showed marvellous reflexes to parry substitute Simon Yeo's effort in stoppage time at the Moss Rose.

It meant Everton secured their passage into the fourth round thanks to a goal from Leon Osman in the 43rd minute. He fired in a superb half-volley from the edge of the area following a poor clearance.

Everton then squandered a number of good opportunities to put the game to bed before Howard's heroics.

It was the American's fifth successive clean sheet and Round said: "His form has been excellent. I have been very impressed with him.

"Credit to Tim. He had little to do all game but kept his concentration and made a great save at the end.

"Macclesfield were hanging in there and took us to the wire. They almost nicked an equaliser at the end."

Round was glad to have got a potentially difficult game out of the way.

Everton were knocked out by Oldham last season and Round said: "We are pleased to go through as these are always tricky ties.

"This was their biggest game of the season and Keith Alexander had his team well organised.

"It took us a while to figure them out and when we did, we took control of the game.

"We had some really good opportunities but our final pass let us down and that is something we need to work on.

"However it was a good finish from Leon as he struck the ball really sweetly."

Macclesfield manager Alexander was left cursing his luck with Nat Brown squandering a glorious chance of making the breakthrough when he headed over from six yards.

Then they were denied a penalty late on when substitute Danny Thomas went to ground following a challenge from Tony Hibbert.

Alexander said: "They are a good team and we made life difficult for them. Everton had the majority of the play but we had the better chances.

"On another day at least one of them would have gone in and Nat Brown needed to put that one away. That has been the story of our season.

"We have been playing good football but conceding sloppy goals and that has happened again.

"I have seen penalties like that given but not often against Premier League teams. But I don't want to moan."