Third Division Cheltenham secured a famous 2-1 victory over First Division Burnley to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round this afternoon. Cheltenham are only in their third season as a Football League club but fully deserved their win over Stan Ternent's high-flyers at Whaddon Road. The Robins stunned the visitors with two goals in five first-half minutes on what was a day to forget for Greek keeper Luigi Cennamo who was making his first competitive start for Burnley after Nik Michopolous had limped off.
The Third Division side took the game to their higher league opponents from the off and had already twice gone close to taking the lead before Michopolous was forced off after saving Russell Milton's long-range effort in the 18th minute. However, Milton made amends in the 23rd minute when he put the home side ahead and in the 27th minute, it was 2-0 when top scorer Julian Alsop added his name to the scoresheet.
Although Alan Moore immediately pulled one back for the Clarets, Burnley could not convert their dominance into goals and despite a very nervy finish from the home defence, Cheltenham held on for a dream fifth round tie with a top Premiership side.
At Prenton Park, Paul Rideout, who scored the winner for Everton in the 1995 final against Manchester United, proved he still knows how to score as he helped Tranmere to a 3-1 win over giantkillers Cardiff City. Graham Kavanagh had fired Cardiff into the lead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Daniel Gabbidon was adjudged to have nudged Clint Hill in the area but within two minutes Tranmere had equalised.
Cardiff were found guilty of slack marking and Rideout escaped their attentions to head home following a good cross from Jason Koumas. Rideout should have added a second two minutes after the break but scuffed his effort from just two yards out. However, on 52 minutes, Tranmere finally took the lead following a terrible mistake from Des Hamilton. His back pass to his keeper was short and Sean Flynn intercepted to score. Eleven minutes from time, Tranmere made sure of their place in the fifth round draw when Koumas scored after Nicky Henry's 25-yard shot had been beaten away by Neil Alexander
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
