Coventry City see off AFC Wimbledon in FA Cup First Round

Just like they did to win The FA Cup in 1987, Coventry had to come from behind for victory in this year's First Round, this time at League Two AFC Wimbledon.

Keith Houchen's memorable diving header and a Gary Mabbutt own goal gave the Sky Blues their greatest ever moment with victory over Tottenham 26 years ago, and only a year later their giant-killing was eclipsed when Wimbledon beat the odds to beat the mighty Liverpool.

Times have changed enormously for both clubs, but it was the Midlands side that triumphed at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Wimbledon took the lead shortly after half-time when Michael Smith, who had gone close twice, headed home George Porter's cross in the 54th minute.

But home joy was short-lived as the visitors from League One equalised three minutes later after a mistake from Wimbledon substitute keeper Seb Brown, playing in place of Ross Worner who was caught up in the traffic problems that caused a 15-minute delay to kick-off.

Brown made a hash of a cross and dropped the ball on the goal-line to give Callum Wilson a tap-in for Coventry's equaliser.

The visitors then went ahead when Carl Baker shot home on the hour mark, and ten minutes Wimbledon's Callum Kennedy inadvertently deflected the ball past Brown to make it 3-1, and effectively put Coventry into the Second Round.

Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley identified Brown's error as the turning point and said: "I could not see them getting back into the game until then."

In Friday night’s other First Round tie, York City earned a replay back at Bootham Crescent when Wes Fletcher's late equaliser earned them a 3-3 draw at Bristol Rovers.

Ryan Jarvis gave York the lead in the 35th minute at the Memorial Ground but Eliot Richards equalised for Rovers soon afterwards.

Josh Carson scored the goal of the game from 30 yards to restore York's lead shortly before half-time, but again Rovers equalised through Matt Harrold and then went ahead when Chris Beardsley headed home in the 75th minute.

Fletcher scored from close range to salvage a draw for York and the two League Two sides will now have to play again for a place in the Second Round.

AFC Wimbledon
22 Brown, 2 Fuller, 3 Kennedy, 8 Moore, 6 Bennett, 5 Frampton, 21 Porter, 12 Pell (10 Midson, 73), 9 Smith, 4 Sweeney, 7 Francomb (11 Moore, 70).
Substitutes not used 1 Worner, 15 Fenlon, 16 Sainte-Luce, 18 Sheringham, 24 Weston.

Coventry City
1 Murphy, 2 Christie, 3 Adams, 6 Thomas, 24 Clarke, 4 Webster, 8 Baker, 16 Barton, 9 Clarke, 20 Wilson, 14 Moussa (18 Phillips, 86).
Substitutes not used 13 Burge, 30 Garner, 31 Haynes, 33 Maund, 37 Thomas, 38 Baker-Richardson.

Referee D Drysdale