THE mini derby ended up as a snapshot of Manchester football history, with the Blues bristling with pride and seething with injustice, and the Reds swaggering off with the points after a 2-1 win.

Maine Road, founded by City fans 51 years ago, played half of the game with ten men but were only squeezed out by two goals from Stuart Rudd as FC continued their march at the top of the North West Counties League.

The Blues had full-back Marc Clancy unfairly sent-off in first half injury time and when the referee added on an amazing eight minutes to that first period, Rudd headed the Rebels in front.

But in front of a crowd of 3,151 at Stalybridge, Road fought back fiercely and equalised through Gareth Richards, only for Rudd to bundle in the winner with seven minutes to go.

Three days earlier, Rudd looked likely to be ruled out for weeks with a suspected fractured eye socket, but he was given the all-clear to play when new X-rays revealed nothing more than bad bruising.

The game was played in a partisan atmosphere with around 2,500 FC supporters finding some opposition in the shape of around 500 Road fans, bolstered by a few curious Blues.

Credit

And afterwards FC manager Karl Marginson paid tribute to the opposition: "You have to give Maine Road massive credit for making it a contest. Their players don't get paid any money, but even when down to ten men their attitude was excellent - I have nothing but admiration for them.

"They were definitely unlucky to have a player sent off. There was no chance that was a straight red card, with some of the challenges that were going in - but all of those challenges were honest, with no-one trying to hurt anyone."

Maine Road boss Ian Walker was proud of his team, but says he faces stick from some of his FC-supporting pupils - he is head of PE at St Monica's school in Prestwich, and some of his boys had a cheeky banner on prominent display at the Joe Jackson End proclaiming him to be both a `Bluenose' and a `bignose'!

"I am proud, but also a bit disappointed, because it's hard when you get that close in such a big game and get nothing out of it," said Walker.

"The red card was bizarre and then the ref played eight minutes of injury time in the first half - he seemed to be waiting for them to score.

"But it was the most enjoyable game of football in which I have been involved. The atmosphere FC United create is absolutely superb.

"We set out this season to get in the top five but after a display like that there is no reason we can't go up with them and have more days like that."

The day was a financial success for Maine Road, although they were disappointed that more City fans did not turn up. Said chairman Ron Meredith: "This match has brought a lot of expense and hard work, but the money will keep us going this season and possibly next as well.

"Most of our players will never play in front of a crowd as big as that again."

Click here to see pictures from the game.

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