How apt that the two-goal hero who ended Macclesfield Town's 139-year odyssey to reach the FA Cup fourth round should be one of football's wanderers whose name is Homer. That's Matthew Barnes-Homer, a 26-year-old with so many clubs during a peripatetic career that he does not know the current count.

When asked, Barnes-Homer declared he was "not sure" of the exact number, but the tally stands at 15 and includes a spell in the United States after being released by his boyhood club Wolverhampton Wanderers, time with Willenhall Town and Tividale of West Midlands football, and in Sweden, where he was playing with the second division outfit Ostersund before Steve King signed him in the summer.

How had that deal come about? "I was at Luton and went on loan to Rochdale, and because I played for two clubs in the same season, when I left Luton the FA wouldn't allow me to play for a third club – I had one I was going to sign for in the league but they denied my registration so I had to go to Sweden. But it helped me.

"I went, trained hard, played in that league over there for Ostersund and I came back fitter, stronger, more focused and I was just determined. I spoke to the gaffer, it was a challenge for me, so I took the challenge. Steve King is a friend of Andy Drury [a midfielder] who was at Luton and he speaks highly of him. I trust Drury, and with King and me we've become good pals."

In 2004, Barnes-Homer's travels took in Rochester Raging Rhinos, Syracuse Salty Dogs and Virginia Beach Mariners in lower league football in America. "Yeah, years ago when I left Wolves, I played there in the A-league for a few teams so it was good experience for me – the agent I had at the time got me the move over."

Against a Cardiff City side completely changed from the XI Malky Mackay fielded for the New Year's Day win at Birmingham City, with Craig Bellamy the most glaring absentee in a team which ended the game with seven teenagers on the field, Macclesfield fully deserved their win. Despite conceding the opening goal to Nat Jarvis's 57th-minute strike, King's team dominated throughout.

Cardiff lead the Championship by seven points, a glaring margin in what is a highly competitive division. Macclesfield are 11th in the Blue Square Premier, with King having entered the tie facing criticism for their league form.

Barnes-Homer said: "We've had some shaky performances this season but the boys never give up, they fight no matter what, and we fight for each other, you could see that today."

The illustration of that point was the manner of Barnes-Homer's goals, which came on 85 and 88 minutes as Macclesfield refused to be consigned to the Cup's hard luck story file. King deserves credit for taking off Charlie Henry for Jack Mackreth as the latter turned the tie. His run down the right was followed by a neat turn and cross that was stood up perfectly for Barnes-Homer, who slid home at the far post.

As Moss Rose went wild, the striker kept his cool moments later when Macclesfield were awarded a penalty, to slot beyond Joe Lewis's right hand for the winner.

The spot-kick was Barnes-Homer's 20th goal of a stand-out season, and he has form for scoring late in games. Macclesfield were also behind to Southport in their previous outing before he produced finishes on 80 and 84 minutes. "The other day when we played at home we were down to ten men and two-nil down," he said. "But we believed at half-time we could come back and get a result, the boys fought on and we scored two goals in four minutes."

Immediately after knocking out Cardiff, King stated that Barnes-Homer should be given a new, improved deal. But the striker refused to be drawn on the issue: "I don't want to start talking about contracts," he said. "It's nice to score goals. That's what I get paid to do. I want to play as high as I can. I had a few spells last season in League One but I want to play higher. That's my ambition." This performance will do his hopes no harm.

Man of the match Matthew Barnes-Homer (Macclesfield Town)