FC United provided a little magic

 Source: Lancashire Telegraph

 9:22am Wednesday 10th November 2010

* By Matt Donlan » Sports reporter

THE FA Cup claimed back a little bit of its magic on Friday night – and hopefully there is more to follow.

FC United of Manchester really do divide opinion – just as Manchester United do – but it is hard to argue that their win over Rochdale was special to say the least.

The Cup needs moments like that – and the Cup needs non-league sides to push on and cause the odd upset.

And there is more excitement possibly around the corner as AFC Wimbledon are close to a game against Milton Keynes Dons, the side that once was Wimbledon before their new owners decided to do one up the M1 to the land where the cows are made of concrete and the roundabouts are plenty.

That decision still hurts the fans of AFC Wimbledon – and if both sides manage to win their respective replays the dream tie will be on.

A cert for the TV companies. But back to FC United and their winning goal.

In a week when Tony Pulis wants referees relegating for a bad decision he would have been gobsmacked at the decision to allow the stoppage time effort when the ball was clearly taken out of the hands of goalkeeper Josh Lillis only to be allowed to stand.

Pulis would have that referee locked in the dungeons at Lancaster Castle for that error – and I am sure Rochdale are not exactly chuffed with it either.

But get over it. It’s part and parcel of the Cup...

And that’s magic.