csconstantine.com

By Chris Wheeler Last updated at 8:21 PM on 18th February 2011

Nobody will be giving non-League Crawley Town a chance when they visit Old Trafford to face the might of Manchester United in the FA Cup. The Blue Square Bet Conference side are in the fifth round for the first time after knocking out Derby and Torquay, while their opponents have won the famous trophy a record 11 times. But United have been victims of several upsets over the years and here CHRIS WHEELER meets the players who have managed to leave the famous Red Devils with red faces.

Manchester Utd 1 Walthamstow Ave 1 (FA Cup 4th rnd, Jan 31, 1953)

Nobody gave the Isthmian League underdogs a chance when they arrived at Old Trafford to take on Matt Busby's English champions, even less so after United took a first half lead. But thermos flask salesman and England amateur international JIM LEWIS equalised (below) to earn a draw. Lewis, now 83, signed for Chelsea after scoring twice when United won the replay 5-2.

He said: 'We saw it as a day out because we didn't think we stood much of a chance. We'd never experienced playing in front of that kind of crowd before. There were 35,000 at Old Trafford and 46,000 at Arsenal (for the replay). Our average was about 5,000.

'Eddie Lewis gave United the lead but I remember at half-time we didn't think we were going to get thumped. We went out to give it our all. I equalised 10 minutes from the end. I was some way out and hit it straight into the top corner. It could have been the greatest upset ever because United keeper Ray Wood tipped my shot over, and Trevor Bailey, the England cricketer who sadly died recently, almost scored in the final minutes.

'I think of it when I see the likes of Crawley doing well. They'll think they've got a chance and you never know. It's one of those things that does the FA Cup so much good.'

Burton Albion 0 Manchester Utd 0
(FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 8, 2006)

Amazingly, United were held to a goal less draw by Conference opponents for the second year in a row before winning the replay 5-0.

Sir Alex Ferguson gambled with a changed line-up and his players laboured on a heavy pitch.

JON SHAW (pictured on Shaun Harrad's shoulders) went closest for Nigel Clough's side with a header that was cleared off the line.

The 27-year-old, who was on loan at Crawley in 2009, now plays for Gateshead.

Shaw said: 'It gave us a bit of hope when we saw the teamsheet but United still brought a strong side. Then, with half an hour to go, we thought our luck had run out when they sent on Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, but we held on. Phil Bardsley cleared my header off the line and we had a penalty appeal turned down.

'We had a good bunch of lads but we trained together only a couple of times a week. When I went on loan to Crawley they were a full-time outfit and they will surprise United with how direct, fit and professional they are. They've got a chance.'

Carlisle Utd 1 Manchester Utd 1
(FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 7, 1978)

United were the holders when they were drawn away to Third Division Carlisle. Lou Macari gave Dave Sexton's team an early lead but Ian McDonald headed an equaliser and United were forced to hang on for a replay after Brian Greenhoff was sent off.

Carlisle striker BILLY RAFFERTY (above) played in both games, scoring in a 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford. The 60-year-old lives in Cumbria and runs a corporate six-a-side league.

Rafferty said: 'There was a fantastic atmosphere because it was the only time Carlisle have played Man Utd. The town was buzzing. There were 25,000 inside Brunton Park and I remember running out and thinking it was going to burst at the seams. Macari's goal quietened them down but we battered United after the equaliser.

'They were all over the place when Brian Greenhoff was sent off. We had a feeling they were there for the taking but we couldn't finish them off. There were mixed feelings in the dressing room. We were elated that we'd played so well but disappointed we hadn't beaten them.'

Bournemouth 2 Manchester Utd 0 (FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 7 1984)

Ron Atkinson's side began the defence of their trophy with what looked like a routine tie against the Third Division strugglers and Harry Redknapp, who was three months into his first managerial job.

But Milton Graham stunned a United side including the likes of Frank Stapleton, Bryan Robson, Arnold Muhren and Norman Whiteside with the first goal (below) before Ian Thompson added a second.

Graham, 48, is a section manager for a boat and tractor engine company in Peterborough.

He said: 'Deep down I didn't think we had a chance but if there's one thing history has taught me about Harry Redknapp it's that he knows players. He just instilled the confidence in us to go out and play.

'I like to think that Gary Bailey didn't fumble the corner, but he did and I volleyed it in. Funnily enough, it wasn't until I saw it in the papers on Monday that I realised I'd scored or that it was so momentous.

'Ron Atkinson kept his players in the dressing room for an hour after the game. Ours was just crazy. Champagne everywhere. We poured a bottle over Harry's head. The chairman gave me ?200 for the team, which was hard to spend that night because everyone was buying us drinks.

'Later on, I played for Crawley manager Steve Evans at Stamford. Crawley should enjoy themselves because these games don't come around too often. To this day when I'm introduced to people at work, the first words are, "This is Milton, who scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup".'

Manchester Utd 0 Exeter City 0 (FA Cup 3rd rnd, Jan 8, 2005)

Sir Alex Ferguson put out a weakened team and then had to apologise to fans for what he described as 'the worst FA Cup performance in my 18 years at the club' as non- League Exeter earned a draw with the holders.

Former Old Trafford apprentice ANDY TAYLOR (right) twice went close to scoring against his old club but United won the replay 2-0.

Taylor, 28, runs his own business as a strength and conditioning coach, and plays for Truro City.

'That game saved Exeter and I remember the jubilation when we drew United because we could easily have gone out of business,' said Taylor.

'From a personal point of view it was nice to go back. I was in the year above Darren Fletcher at United but they discovered a degenerative knee problem and I was advised to retire at 19. I'd never played at Old Trafford before.

'There's no point going there thinking you'll get turned over, you just have to set your stall out to get a result. The noise our fans made at the end is a memory that will stay with me. Scholes and Phil Neville came over and asked how I was and the manager gave me a pat on the back. United gave us all a shirt or something after the game.'

Labels: Crawley, daily, Donapost, little, Manchester, scare, United, write