FA Cup: York lose out to Cottagers

York 0, Fulham 2 (full-time)

Seventeen years ago to the day York enjoyed one of the greatest moments in their history - but on this occasion there was no Keith Houchen to emerge the hero.

Houchen, who more famously scored an FA Cup final winner with a stunning header in the 1987 final when Coventry beat Tottenham, stroked home a last-minute penalty on January 26, 1985, to give York a shock fourth-round triumph over then First Division glamour-boys Arsenal.

There was to be no repeat, though, of such a stunning Bootham Crescent victory as goals from Steed Malbranque and Steve Marlet ended brave York’s bid for giantkilling glory with goals either side of half-time.

Collins was also booked soon after for a shirt pull before York came within a whisker of the equaliser, only for van der Sar to just beat Brass to a Mike Basham cross.

Bjarne Goldbaek then replaced Collins in the 72nd minute and his introduction should have reaped immediate dividends as a pull back for Saha was sliced dreadfully wide.

Peter Duffield and Alex Mathie then replaced Hobson and Nogan as Dolan looked to freshen up his side, but their dreams were finally crushed in the 84th minute.

A long goal-kick from van der Sar was pounced upon by Marlet, the French ace then striding into the area before beating Fettis with a crisp right-foot shot.