Back in Time : Lincoln 3 Brighton 1 - 8/11/2003

With the return of the FA Cup at the weekend, we take a look back at the last time City won an FA Cup match at Sincil Bank. It came seven years ago as a City side full of confidence took on a Brighton side who were top of what is now League One.

The Keith Alexander era was generally kind to the Imps in the various cups. Cup games involving the Imps were generally memorable during that period, who will ever forget the 5-1 win over Crewe before losing 5-4 at Premier League Fulham a few years later, but one of the most underrated matches of the twenty-first century so far came in an FA Cup 1st Round match against Brighton and Hove Albion in 2003/4.

City were in the middle of an resurgence following a poor start to the season and went into the game against Brighton on the back of five straight home wins in all competitions (what would we give for that now?) and only one defeat in fifteen, and that came against eventually promoted Hull.

There were certainly not many who thought that Brighton were an easy draw though. Brighton were top of what was then known as Division Two (now League One) and would eventually go on to win promotion via the Playoffs, beating Bristol City in the final.

A crowd of 4,425 entered Sincil Bank, the majority of which vocally singing their support of Keith Alexander, whom had been linked with the vacant managerial position at Peterborough.

It was a tight affair at first, with neither side creating any decent opportunities for the first ten minutes, but a thirteenth minute foul on Ben Futcher gave the Imps a penalty, although it was a bit soft. Paul Mayo stepped up and characteristically smashed it into the net to maintain his perfect record from the spot for City, a record that would last him up until August 2006.

City were well on top and made it a deserved second as Francis Green ran down the left before crossing for Matt Bloomer, the utility man hit it first time from an extremely narrow angle to make it 2-0. It was the first time Bloomer had been on the scoresheet since a pre-season draw with Manchester City, that goal also coming after a Paul Mayo penalty.

The Imps came out for the second half with confidence and quickly made it 3-0. Another Green run eventually resulted in a corner, it was played in by Paul Mayo and dropped by Michael Kuipers, falling at the feet of Simon Yeo (seen celebrating the goal above), whom promptly scored his first (and subsequently only ever) FA Cup goal for City.

By now the Imps were comfortably in the second round and were even comfortable enough to bring Rory May and Niall McNamara on for rare appearances. With the game heading to a close, Brighton did eventually get onto the scoresheet as Piercy crossed in and McPhee headed in from mere yards out.

The game finished 3-1. It was the final time City played before Keith Alexander's cerebral aneurysm.

The Imps drew Southend away in the next round, but a 3-0 defeat ended City's run.....Southend drew Scarborough in the third round.