IT should be about the football, the meeting of the two giants of the game and the joy of the FA Cup but as soon as Liverpool’s name was drawn out of the hat alongside Manchester United one topic dominated — racism.

ARSENE WENGER survived a mighty scare last night as James Collins’ early header gave League Two Shrewsbury the lead at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal recovered to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.

Leeds United face an away tie against Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup.

STEVEN Thompson struck twice as Burnley wrote another glorious cup chapter by dumping West Brom out of the FA Cup to book a fifth-round trip to Cardiff or Arsenal.

MANCHESTER City manager Mark Hughes has been promised substantial funds for new players after taking over at Eastlands.

West Brom returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Zoltan Gera’s second-half goal earned the Baggies a 1-0 win at Wolves.

KEVIN PHILLIPS’ 21st goal of the season cancelled out Greg Halford’s first for Charlton to keep West Brom in the hunt for automatic promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

Milton Keynes Dons have called a press conference for tomorrow morning to announce the appointment of their new manager.

Southend confirmed their League One title with a 1-0 win at home to Bristol City – and they will be joined in the Coca-Cola Championship next season by Colchester, whose goalless draw at Yeovil was just enough.

Southend claimed promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship and Swindon were relegated to League Two after the penultimate weekend in League One.

NEWCASTLE, Blackburn and Bolton all earned the wrath of travelling fans last night after calling off matches at short notice.

Blackburn’s home Barclays Premiership clash with Sunderland has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The wintry weather bit into the day’s sporting programme with a number of fixtures being called off across the country.

NORTHERN Ireland ended the year in style by holding Portugal 1-1. Warren Feeney grabbed the equaliser from a Keith Gillespie cross to cancel out an own goal from Stephen Craigan.

League One leaders Luton suffered a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of mid-table Barnsley as they failed in their bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.

COCA-COLA League One leaders Luton left it late again to secure victory.

NON-LEAGUE Exeter were yesterday handed a glamorous trip to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Non-league Exeter were today handed a glamorous trip to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Milton Keynes Dons have sacked manager Stuart Murdoch.

RUNAWAY Coca-Cola League One leaders Luton chalked up their sixth straight home win - 3-0 over Hartlepool - to move 10 points clear at the top.

Manchester City and Jon Macken went on a scoring spree, winning 7-1 against League One Barnsley in the Carling Cup second round tonight.

The team formerly known as Wimbledon began life as the Milton Keynes Dons with a point as they fought back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at home to Barnsley in the Coca-Cola Football League 1.

Leeds have been handed a Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield for their first visit to round one of the Carling Cup after relegation from the Premiership.