2005/06 Fulham
4-5 (A) Green, Kerr, Robinson, OG
What happened at Craven Cottage in September 2005 was less a League Cup tie than a breathless test of Lincoln City’s refusal to accept defeat. Premier League Fulham established a 2-0 lead through Zesh Rehman and Heiðar Helguson, but Alan Marriott’s outstanding goalkeeping kept the Imps alive. Francis Green reduced the deficit after being released by Gary Birch, then a mix-up between Moritz Volz and goalkeeper Ricardo Batista resulted in an own goal which made it 2-2. City might even have won the game in normal time, but Marvin Robinson’s late drive struck the crossbar.
Fulham moved 4-2 ahead early in extra time through Liam Rosenior and Tomasz Radzinski, yet Keith Alexander’s side fought back once again. Scott Kerr produced a spectacular long-range free-kick before Robinson headed home from a corner with five minutes remaining, bringing City level for the second time. Penalties appeared inevitable, only for Brian McBride to score a headed winner in the closing moments and secure a remarkable 5-4 victory for Fulham. It was a cruel conclusion to one of Lincoln’s most extraordinary League Cup performances against top-flight opposition.
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