1993/94 Everton
3-4 (H) Johnson, Matthews, Brown
2-4 (A) Johnson, Baraclough
City came agonisingly close to upsetting Everton in a remarkable second-round first leg at Sincil Bank in September 1993. Keith Alexander’s side took the lead after 18 minutes through David Johnson, but Everton recovered and goals from Paul Rideout and Tony Cottee helped them establish a 3-1 advantage. City refused to fold, with Neil Matthews scoring after 65 minutes before Grant Brown headed home seven minutes later to make it 3-3. However, Rideout completed his hat-trick in the 85th minute to give the Premier League side a dramatic 4-3 victory in front of 9,153 supporters.
Lincoln continued to trouble Everton in the return game at Goodison Park, despite falling behind to Rideout’s header after only two minutes. John Schofield quickly equalised with a volley which went in off the underside of the crossbar, although Neil Matthews later had an effort controversially disallowed for offside after Neville Southall had saved from Johnson. Ian Snodin restored Everton’s lead, but Ian Baraclough converted a 70th-minute penalty to make it 2-2 on the night. City’s hopes were finally ended when Cottee struck twice in four minutes, securing a 4-2 win for Everton and an 8-5 aggregate victory, although Alexander’s side emerged from the tie with enormous credit.
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