ON THIS DAY

They say that when it comes to the FA Cup fans of the clubs from lower leagues don't dream of reaching the Wembley final - too unrealistic - but do dream of being drawn away to a top side and visiting one of the iconic grounds like Old Trafford or Anfield. But for fans of a third tier club 13th April 1997 saw them play at one of those iconic grounds with the dream of a Wembley final almost coming true. Chesterfield reached the semi-final of the FA Cup and were up against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. The match was a classic. Middlesbrough had a player sent off in a goalless first half. Chesterfield took a 2-0 second half lead before Middlesbrough pulled one back. Then a major controversy, A Chesterfield shot hit the underside of the crossbar and appeared to cross the line - but it was disallowed. Instead of being 3-1 down Middlesbrough made it 2-2 with a penalty and took a 3-2 lead in injury time. Chesterfield then scored in the last minute to draw 3-3. Sadly though Chesterfield were well beaten - 3-0 - in the replay at Hillsborough and that particular dream was over.

Fergie came out with some great excuses for poor Manchester United displays with one of the most bizarre coming at half-time in the Premier League match against Southampton at the Dell on April 13th 1996. He blamed the 3-0 deficit at the break on the grey kit United were wearing saying that his players couldn't pick each other out against the background of the crowd. He ordered them to change into a blue strip for the second half and to be fair United scored the only goal in the second period. Mind you United wore blue when they visited the Dell the following season - and lost 3-6!

Luton Town defeated Bristol Rovers 12-0 in a Division 3 (South) match. In his first match as a centre-forward Joe Payne scored 10 of the goals which is still the most goals any player has scored in a League match.