Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes watched on from a grass bank at the far side of the ground as Danny Webber and Richie Allen handed Salford a remarkable 2-0 win over County.
Salford City 2-0 Notts County
Emirates FA Cup
First round
Moor Lane
Friday 6 November 2015
Winners receive £18,000 from The FA prize fund
County sit three leagues above their part-time opposition in the pyramid, but they were completely outclassed on a night of high emotion for the players and their Class of '92 owners – the Neville brothers, Scholes, Butt and Ryan Giggs.
In front of a capacity crowd of 1,400, they booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup for the first time – and they fully deserved their win.
A fraught first half ended goalless after both sides missed numerous opportunities to break the deadlock.
Danny Webber celebrates the first goal of the night
The home supporters among the crowd were brought to the edge of their seats when Jordan Hulme dribbled into the box, but he could not get the ball out from under his feet and County cleared.
Webber went close with a fierce shot as the Ammies, who ply their trade in the seventh tier of English football, continued to push for an opener.
Barely 20 seconds after the break, the former United forward sparked jubilant scenes when he bundled home James Poole's cross after he had turned Thierry Audel inside out down the right.
Salford City fans celebrate their side's victory
Hulme struck the bar with a fierce shot as Salford looked to kill the game, but the hosts thought they had given up the lead when a clearance struck Adam Campbell and trickled towards goal. Luckily for the hosts, Andy Dawson ran back to clear off the line.
Relief then turned to joy among the home support as Allen's outstanding goal sealed Salford's passage to the second round for the first time in their history.
Paul Scholes joins in the celebrations with Salford City players
Allen, who had only been on the pitch three minutes, beat three defenders with a neat turn on the left flank and played a one-two inside the box before slotting the ball past former United goalkeeper Roy Carroll from 12 yards.
Knowing they had made history, Salford managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson – as well as the rest of their coaching staff and the substitutes – sprinted down the touchline in wild celebration.
County failed to get back into the game and jubilant home fans flooded the pitch as soon as the final whistle sounded.
Watch highlights of the game, as Salford City beat Notts County
