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29 October 2014
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Non League Football


Burton celebrating after the Man U match.
Burton celebrate after the Man U draw.

Burton Albion 0-0 Man United

Staffordshire non league club Burton Albion pulled off the greatest result in their history as The Brewers held Manchester United to a deserved draw in the FA Cup 3rd round.


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Little Burton Albion from Staffordshire amazingly held mighty Manchester United to a famous goalless draw in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

The United manager Sir Alex Ferguson watched on as his multi-talented side again failed to overcome Conference opposition fully 104 places below them in the pyramid system.

Nigel Clough's part-timers were well worth their draw, which booked them a January 18 trip to Old Trafford.

Right from the start, Burton served notice they would be no pushovers and could easily have gone into the break with a deserved lead.

Goalbound headers

Defender Phil Bardsley was the hero for Manchester United. Bardsley was called upon to clear two goalbound headers from Jon Shaw and Darren Stride off the line following routine corners which Burton heads had climbed highest to reach.

Ferguson opted not to make any changes at the interval but after another 13 disappointing minutes which brought just a single decent opportunity, the introduction of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo off the bench looked like easing United towards victory.

However United were limited to a couple of Rooney efforts, a disallowed Saha goal and an injury-time volley from Richard Jones, which was superbly saved by the Burton keeper Saul Deeley.

But with Tinson and Ryan Austin outstanding at the heart of the home defence, the Brewers survived.

It wasn’t one-way traffic either. Keith Gilroy nearly won it for the Brewers at the end too with a deflected effort which forced Howard to scramble across his goal.

Penalty

And many would argue that Burton should have been awarded a penalty when Spanish teenager Gerard Pique seemed to handle the ball in the area but referee Howard Webb gave a free-kick the other way for a supposed push by Shaun Harrad.

Burton walked off to a standing ovation, knowing their result was totally deserved.

The Burton manager Nigel Clough was understandably delighted. He may only be in the formative stages of his own managerial career, but the manner of Burton's performance and the result would have made Clough's late father Brian proud. 

"We were magnificent," said Clough. "My players gave everything and I'm very proud of them.

Staggering

"For a group of part-time lads to get a 0-0 draw with Manchester United is staggering."

"My message to the lads for the replay at Old Trafford will be exactly the same: just go out and enjoy yourselves."

While Clough spoke of glory, his chairman, Ben Robinson, had an eye on the balance sheet. After all, the replay will net The Brewers in excess of £500,000.

"I dont know how much it's worth for us but however much it is will help the club to take a big step forward," said Robinson.

Good news for football

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Burton Albion's amazing FA Cup draw was good news for football. He feels the Conference sides have put the fun back into the FA Cup again.

"Over the previous couple of years the FA Cup had gone a bit flat in terms of shocks but the Conference clubs have really made the FA Cup this year."

"Tamworth and Nuneaton had already done the FA Cup proud and Burton worked their socks off to get the result."

The gulf between the two sets of players was never more apparent than in the tunnel after the game as the Burton part-timers queued up to have their shirts signed by Rooney.

Now they will also have a day out at Old Trafford to take away as a momento from their historic FA Cup run.

last updated: 16/01/06
Have Your Say
Were you at the match? What did you think about the performances of Burton and Manchester United? Give us you're views here...
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trevor wright
Burton Albion were magnificent and should be proud that of the way in which they played and the professional way in which they hosted this brilliant game.
Burton Albion and Tamworth have displayed that Staffordshire produces fine football teams and i hope that these 2 results will encourage local people to support them week on week towards their aim to get into the football league.
I also hope that the local and national media will give these two sides more respect and we will at last see an end to the idea that non league football is a joke and that it is supported by 1 man and his dog in a rundown ground. Anyone who has visited Burtons new 6.9 million pound stadium will see that there are first class facilities for supporters and some first class football to be found there.
I wish the "brewers" very best wishes for the replay on 18th january at old trafford, you deserve that return match and the money it will generate.

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