Non League Football

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Staffordshire’s Burton Albion bowed out of the FA Cup £1 million richer after losing at Manchester United in their third-round replay.

The Conference outfit may have been beaten 5-0 on their dream trip to Old Trafford but the money and the memories will last far longer.

Honourable defeat

In the end there was no fairytale and no giant slayed, just honourable defeat for non-league Burton and the largest visiting support Old Trafford has ever seen.

But there was also the knowledge that a thrilling FA Cup ride reached its conclusion at the hands of a Manchester United side, if not quite rampant, then deserved and decisive victors.

Burton certainly gave a good account of themselves and as early as the third minute, could have taken a shock lead!

Jon Shaw plunged into Jake Sedgemore's cross and directed a  header goalwards and almost 11,000  Burton fans - the largest away support at Old Trafford since the ground went all-seater 15 years ago – were for a brief moment, dreaming of an extraordinary upset.

Early scare

Unfortunately Shaw was unable to get enough power on his header to trouble the United ‘keeper and the Red Devils survived that early scare.

In reality, the dream lasted just seven minutes. French International forward Louis Saha tapped in from close range after a smart move for Manchester United’s first goal. In truth, it was a goal that any Premiership defence would do well to stop.

Giuseppe Rossi added a second before half time to ensure the hosts were never likely to suffer more humiliation and Kieran Richardson and Ryan Giggs both found the net after the interval before Rossi's second wrapped up victory and a fourth round trip to Wolves.

But a bigger margin of victory for the Red Devils would have taken the shine off the part-timers' battling display, which received due recognition from the home supporters in a 53,000-plus crowd.

Lap of honour

United's players quickly exchanged shirts then raced off to allow their non league opponents to enjoy a lap of honour. Burton could have few complaints about the margin of their defeat, but their victory was simply to play at Old Trafford.

The Brewers have now managed to rake in more from their FA Cup run than they could have expected from an entire non-league campaign. Boss Nigel Clough is now hoping the windfall can help provide the platform for a push towards the Football League.

"Most of our lads are already under contract and financially we are not under pressure now so we hope to keep the nucleus of them," said Clough.

"I hope they enjoyed the experience. It will be a memory that lasts them the rest of their lives but it should also stand them in good stead for the future."

Amazing experience

Burton player Ryan Austin said he'll never forget the biggest game of his life. Austin, who lives in Stoke on Trent, said it was an 'amazing experience'.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was also full of praise for Burton’s efforts:

"We have had European teams - and many Premiership teams - come here and never show anything like the kind of positive attitude they did," added Ferguson.

"Most teams come here, stick one up front, fill the midfield and bore the pants off everyone. Sometimes they get a result, sometimes they don't.

Proud

"At least Burton have come here with a positive attitude and their fans can be proud of them."

As they headed back down the M6, the 62 buses and hundreds of cars which helped ferry an incredible 11,000 fans from Staffordshire were certainly full of pride for their team.

The supporters swapped stories about Darren Stride's monumental midfield effort, Darren Tinson's defiance in defence and the cries of 'Ole' as their leg-weary heroes played keep-ball near the end.