Cobblers' Cup hopes dashed

Cobblers' fans saw them defeated but not disgraced

The most famous club in the world proved unstoppable for Northampton Town on Sunday afternoon.

A sell-out crowd of 7,500 saw the third division Cobblers go down 3-0 to Manchester United at Sixfields in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Though Northampton were defeated, the team was by no means disgraced.

The experts' verdict was that the side had been far from overwhelmed and the scoreline did scant justice to their efforts.

The result was more respectable than the last time these two teams met 34 years ago.

Tribute to players

Then the Red Devils won the match 8-2 thanks to football legend George Best's record-breaking six goals.

Hero of the match for Cobblers' fans was goalkeeper Lee Harper who denied Manchester United on half a dozen occasions.

Northampton Town manager Colin Calderwood said he was proud of his players, who had battled on to the end of the game, and paid tribute to the team's supporters.

He said the difference between the two clubs was huge and the way his side went about the match was excellent.

This time the fourth round tie, which was covered live on television, leaves the club almost £500,000 richer.