Rebels boss Karl Marginson had called on his £80-a-week part-timers to create history in their first-round clash against the League One club, and they managed just that by giving their followers an evening to live long in the memory.
Though the evening ended in controversy with Michael Norton’s hotly disputed winner in injury time, no one could deny them their moment of glory.
On a dismal evening at Spotland they lit up the occasion with greater spark and colour than the intermittent fireworks that exploded above the packed stadium, the fire in their bellies burning fiercer than any bonfire.
ESPN’s cameras screened the game to a national audience, and they hogged the limelight on and off the pitch.
Dale attempted to break down the visitors with composed, patient build up play and provided them with ample opportunities during the opening 45 minutes, but throughout the contest, FC’s desire was undeniable.
Jason Kennedy spilt the FC defence down the middle in the opening minute but was unable to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle and with fullback Scott Wiseman instrumental, the home crowd grew increasingly expectant.
Nicky Adams drove a shot across the face of Sam Ashton’s boughs while Anthony Elding’s glanced header was a whisker away from creeping inside the upright.
Elding was left holding his head in his hands after blazing over Dale’s best opportunity of the half, and the home side were made to pay for their profligacy.
Carlos Roca and Jerome Wright were off target with early attempts, but their intent at least spurred their supporters to crank up the volume a few more notches.
And they were positively bouncing when Michael Norton’s clever backheel had Josh Lillis scrambling across his goalline, the ball trickling inches wide of the post.
Confidence boosted, FC United increasingly became a tougher proposition for Hill’s men to content with. Carlos Roca, whose winner at Barrow set up last night’s clash, raced forward after collecting a loose ball in central midfield and tested Lillis with a drive from 20 yards and big Ben Deegan crashed a shot on target, plucked out of the air by Lillis.
By the time Wright went even closer with a volley that bounced awkwardly in front of Lillis, Dale were well and truly rattled.
And two minutes before the break, the goal that will live long in the memory for the Rebels supporters.
Nicky Platt, a name more closely associated with Weatherfield rather ran Wembley, lit the torch paper by handing the Rebels the lead just before the break.
Wright threaded an incisive pass through the middle for the man who shares his name with a character from Corrie and his finish was tastier than Betty’s hot pot, the midfielder drawing Lillis from his line before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper as he went to ground.
Platt, a groundsman by trade, had certainly done a job on Spotland and his work was far from finished.
The second half had only just kicked off when he teed up Jake Cotterell, the man described by team-mate Dave Chadwick as a one-goal-a-year man who couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo.
Perhaps those words inspired Cotterell, for the job seeker struck a heat seeker from 25 yards that rocketed into the top corner of Lillis’ net.
Two goals to the good and enjoying the night of their lives, the party atmosphere dimmed somewhat when Brian Barry-Murphy’s delightful freekick was headed home by Elding at close range.
Chris O’Grady and Craig Dawson forced Ashton into saves as Dale went for broke, and the pressure finally told in the 78th minute when Barry-Murphy’s corner was powered into the net by Dawson at the back post.
Ashton had a late scare when he spilled Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro’s shot, but he recovered in time to prevent the travesty of the tie being settled by a mistake from the underdogs.
With thoughts turning to a creditable replay, Norton nicked the ball out of Lillis’ grasp and slipped home the winner from a narrow angle.
Lillis was booked by referee Geoff Eltringham for his protestations but there was no dimming the party that followed as Rebels supporters spilled onto the pitch and celebrate with their supporters. Tweet
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welldone to fc a top game of football but carnt waIt to go to old trafford to wacth big united play wolves
And FC United of Manchester will play Droylsden with the winners away to Manchester United. You can all dream!
Congrats to the 'Rebels'
Sitting here in Sydney and enjoying the moment. well done lads!
Well done to FC United, you know what could happen next here, FC win their next FA cup game and draw City in the third round, I would expect FC to win and as a City fan I would have to laugh.
Great win by the lads, and a great win for fans all over the world, people like me 12000 miles away are still enjoying the moment so I can imagine what is must be like at the stretford working mens club.
Congratulations FCUM! A fine performance and a deserved win. Personally, if you make it to the third round, I'd love you to meet that blue pub team (the one that used to be a fun family club). They were beaten by a team third from the bottom of the Polish league yesterday - roughly the equivalent of Rochdale (no disrespect!), so definitely beatable... Now that WOULD be fun...
Here's hoping for another win in the 2nd round, then coming out the hat with Big United in the 3rd round!
Despite all the bitters laughing at the irony of FCUM ,They showed what passion is, What a result. Fantasic !! Restored my faith in football.
This is for all the loyal FC united fans ive slagged off in the last 5yrs, you certainly proved your point. MASSSIVE apologies to you all you certainly done the biz tonight and won me over. Memories of orient in the 2nd division came flooding back tonight, oh for that atmosphere at OT. Congratulations to you all from the chairman down to the tea lady. Albert + Running man total respect for what you believe in owe you both a drink. Now going to hang my head in shame till weds night. Sorry for ever doubting your cause.
excelant result the underdogs shoed grit coring in the last minuite.
Nice 1 fs utd.
I thought FC did a great job the winnig goal should'nt have been allowed but it was so good luck to them!!
fan-bloddy-tastic I watched it live on TV in Canada the crowd sounded great and the lads played their socks off even though they were obviously knackered at the end. Pity they won on such a sour note but glad they won. Win one more and thn get United at Gigg Lane! Boys own stuff! Fantastic. Well done!
Another FC moment to cherish. It was a privilege to be at that game as a fan. The best £12 i've ever spent.
Great result for FC, fab nite for all Reds and just one game closer to the nightmare of drawing Big Utd at Old Trafford in the 3rd round and the spectacle of the biggest boycott of any FA Cup game ever!!
Don't wanna detract from what has been the best night in FC United's short history and congratulations to the players, management and us fans.
Lovin' livin' the dream!!!
Ohhhh my my my !
This is how footie USED to be!
I went to Spotland expecting to get beaten.
After 90 mins I would have happily settled for the draw.
After the game it was amazing!
The Second Round awaits.
And thanks to Rochdale - the Dale fans were very gracious after the game.
Football - bloody hell !
What a great night for FC United. The atmosphere was electric and I cannot wait for the draw, to look forward to our next challenge. Mike Norton, what a top cheeky goal to send the thousands of us in xtc. All helps us towards Ten Acre Lane - when we build our own ground!!!!!
Jake Cotterill - what a strike.
Were there any Rochdale fans there? I think I heard them shouting "fail" or something.
Top top atmosphere, good luck with the ground application. Might nip over for a rendition of Anarchy too.
Look at this Wayne and weep, this is what football is all about!!
I've got a feeling some other fans from Gigg Lane will enjoy this result too...and their team will also look to get a similar result when they play at Spotland in league one next season.
Your lucky my mate,with the 6 year waiting list for season tickets.oooooooppppps sorry thats another one thats gone with thwe wind,Well done fc,but i dont understand how you can support 4 clubs fc utd of bury,stretford dead legs,green and yellows,and anyone but CITY.Joke club has never been more earned .
Well done to you all at F.C.UNITED.You played really well and you deserved the win.
SEE YOU AT OLD TRAFFORD LADS.
WHO SAYS THAT TEAMS LIKE YOURS CANNOT WIN AGAINST THE BIG BOYS.
JOHN ADLER (MANCHESTER UTD FAN)
Did that really happen last night?
I am so proud of our players and our club. Can't say much else because I'm still in shock. Can't say much anyway because I'm hoarse.
Could'nt be more pleased!
Absolutely brilliant...like most Reds,keep a look out for our friends at FC..even bought a share in 2005 and been to a few games!
When you see how many clubs there are in London,there's plenty of room in England's premier city for another team in Red!
Home tie next...then the big one eh?
What a night! It was a great game to watch and the support of the FC United fans was simply amazing and took me back. Thoroughly enjoyed it, what the FA Cup is all about. Well done to the lads, manager and supporters, you did yourselves proud.
who ????