1996/97 Southampton
2-2 (A) Hone, Ainsworth
1-3 (H) Ainsworth
A spirited performance at The Dell earned Lincoln City a 2-2 draw with Southampton and another opportunity to test themselves against Premier League opposition. Mark Hone gave John Beck’s side the lead after 22 minutes, only for Matt Le Tissier and Ulrich van Gobbel to turn the tie around early in the second half. City responded when Gareth Ainsworth headed in with five minutes remaining, securing a replay after an entertaining contest watched by 14,516 supporters.
The Imps carried that momentum into the return at Sincil Bank, where Ainsworth struck after only nine minutes to put them ahead once more. Goalkeeper Barry Richardson helped preserve that advantage with a series of excellent saves, but Southampton finally equalised through Jim Magilton’s disputed 75th-minute penalty. Paul Watson made it 2-1 nine minutes later before Eyal Berkovic’s deflected effort completed a 3-1 victory in the final minute. The scoreline was harsh on City, who had competed impressively across both matches and remained ahead in the replay for more than an hour.
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