FC United 3 Nantwich 4

Stuart Brennan

17/ 9/2008

A STIRRING fightback could not prevent FC United from crashing out of the FA Cup in the Gigg Lane replay.

The Rebels looked down and out at 4-1 down but hit back to almost force extra time.

Manager Karl Marginson received a blow when midfielder Chris Baguley was ruled out through suspension.

In came Dave Neville for his first start but FC were off to a stinker, going behind after just eight minutes when Dave Walker pounced on a loose ball.

FC fought back but Nantwich stood firm, marshalled by veteran ex-Macclesfield defender Darren Tinson.

Two minutes into the second half the Dabbers added a controversial second. The linesman flagged as Walker went through to score but the referee overruled him claiming the ball had reached the striker via defender Dave Chadwick.

Rattled FC went 3-0 down when Charlie O'Loughlin headed home, but on 56 minutes Simon Carden snapped up a goal for the Rebels.

All hope seemed crushed on 68 minutes when Phil Parkinson went down in the box and Walker completed his hat-trick from the spot.

But on 74 minutes sub Danny Self bundled in FC's second and Kyle Wilson set up a thrilling finale with his ninth goal of the season two minutes from time.