OVER 7,400 spectators gorged themselves on eight goals, five bookings and constant goalmouth action on a night when neither side deserved to lose. From a professional viewpoint, many of the goals came from sloppy defending. But the crowd loved every incredible minute. Richard Cadette slammed a hat-trick for Southend, only to end eventually on the losing side.

There was a shock for the Cobblers before the start. Trevor Morley did not travel to the game as an injured ankle had become infected. Phil Chard underlined his usefulness to the squad by being pushed up front. But there was another reshuffle after 15 minutes when Russell Wilcox went off with a head injury that needed five stitches.

There was a minute’s silence before the start, following the death from lung cancer of Austin Hayes, who had only been released by the Cobblers just over a season earlier. Neither side led for more than six minutes after Warren Donald had opened the scoring after seven minutes. Within a minute Cadette had fired Southend level. There was relative calm then until just after half time when the goals flowed in this order: Cadette; Richard Hill; Hill; Cadette; Ian Benjamin; Roy McDonough

A tantalising carrot was dangled before both teams in the draw made live on radio on Monday lunchtime. But it was particularly poignant for Graham Carr that the team should be paired with Newcastle United. Young Graham had watched his idols in the Fifties from the terraces Jackie Milburn, Bobby Mitchell, Jimmy Scoular.. men they called Gods on Tyneside.

Now he had the chance to go home a hero. It was almost as if that burden was too much for the Cobblers in the replay on Wednesday. The players very nearly fluffed their lines. On a night of drama substitute referee Mike Penn bravely had to make two critical decisions. He didn’t falter …